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HISTORY 



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COMMUNITY WHICH HAS SUSTAINED IT, 

J.\ WHAT WAS FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE 

IRISH SETTLEMENT," 

NorLhanipton County. P<a. 



REV. JOHN C. CLYDE, A. M., 
u 

V/liose A)uest)y Jiai-e been identijleil unlJi tJie Setlleutcnf frovi 
its Infaiuv. 



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PHILADELPHIA: : .\"---^ 

PUBLISHED I!V THE PRESBY-TERIAN HIS'l'ORICAL SOCIETY, 
k. MAfiKI': .4- SOX, I'RINI'KRS. 

18 7 6. 






MV COUSIN', 

MISS JENNIE HORNER, 

A DF.SCENDANT OF ONE OF THF. OLDEST 

FAMILIES IX THE IRISH SETTLEMENT, WHO STILL 

RESIDES WITHIN ITS ROUNDS, THE FOLLOW- 

IN'O PAGES ARE INSCRIBED AS a' 

TOKEN OF ESTEEM AND 

lU^OARD, liY 

I'lIE 



Airi'HOR. 



Kntered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875. by Rev. John 
C. Clyde, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



PREFACE.' 




N the summer of 1866, the author's attention 
was directed to the subject of preparing 
a History of the Irish Settlement. At 
that time he commenced the collection of ma- 
terials for the purpose. The original plan was to 
prepare a history in two parts ; one to treat of the 
religious, and the other of the secular affairs of the 
community. It soon became apparent that the col- 
lection of material for the secular part would be a 
formidable undertaking. In the face of insuperable 
difficulties, as it seemed, this feature of the work was 
dropped. A manuscript History of the Church, how- 
ever, was completed in 1870, but without any defi- 
nite purpose of publishing the same. At the earnest 
solicitation of friends, that manuscript, re-modeled, 
revised, re- written, and amplified, we have presented 
in the following pages. 

It was the author's intention to include in this 
volume two additional chapters, relating more par- 
ticularly to the secular affairs of the community. 
By this means he hoped to interest the descendants 



iv Preface. 

of the old families of the Settlement, in order to 
secure their co-operation in obtaining material for a 
companion volume to the present one, treating of 
the secular affairs of the Settlement. One of the 
chapters omitted was a necrology, being a transcript 
of all the inscriptions upon the tombstones in the old 
burying ground. The other was composed of gen- 
ealogies and reminiscences. It was a source of 
regret to the author to find, when ready to go to 
press, that these chapters could not be included. It 
is the present intention, that any disappointment 
arising from this source shall only be temporary in 
its character. The author hopes that, at no distant 
day, he will be able to present a secular history of 
the Settlement as a companion to the present volume, 
in accordance with his original design. The gen- 
ealogies omitted, though nearly two hundred and 
fifty in number, and to a high degree satisfactory as 
regarded the generations of the old families between 
their arrival in this country and 1876, were neces- 
sarily incomplete in some particulars. In the secu- 
lar volume we hope to include the necrology, and 
make the genealogies perfect as far as possible down 
to 1876. We invite all, therefore, who have not 
already done so, to furnish us with perfect genealo- 
gies of their families, so far as they can, together 
with reminiscences of the Settlement or individuals. 
The professional and public career of individuals in 



Preface. v 

church or State, their religious beliefs, &c., are 
solicited, together with any other matter which 
would be interesting to posterity. The author would 
be thankful, if persons, who know of sources of in- 
formation relative to the Settlement or its people, 
would make known the same to him. Thus may be 
constructed a permanent record of what our ancestors 
have done to assist in securing the present prosperity 
of our nation. Whilst the secular chapters have 
been omitted from this volume, the history of the 
Church has been retained complete, which includes 
much of the secular affairs of the Settlement. 

In the preparation of these pages we have been 
indebted to many descendants of the old Settlement 
families, both within and without its bounds. We 
have been assisted by the present pastor and officers 
of the Church to no small degree. 

We would also acknowledge the kindness shown 
us by Rev. Amzi L. Armstrong, Stated Clerk of the 
Presbytery of New Brunswick, and Rev. H. C. 
McCook, Cu;todian of Philadelphia Presbytery 
minutes, in furnishing extracts and permitting us to 
peruse the early minutes of these Presbyteries for 
records bearing upon ihe early ecclesiastical affairs of 
the Settlement Church. We have also consulted 
Rupp's History of Northampton county, Henry's 
History of Lehigh Valley, Dr. Charles Hodge's and 
Webster's Histories of the Presbyterian Church, Dr. 



vi Preface, 

D. X. Junkin's Historical Discourse at the Semi- 
centennial of the Presbytery of Newton, &c. 

It is hoped what we have written with reference to 
the Church will be found to be, in the main, correct 
and trustworthy. If some of the names are not 
spelled, in all cases, as the present generation would 
spell them, we would say we have given them as they 

are found in the old records. 

J. C. C, 
Frazer, Pa., November, 1875. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 1 728-1 760. PAGB 

First Settlers. The Allen Purchase. First Pastorate, Rev. 
Eleazer Wales. David Brainerd's Preaching. First 
Church Building. Second Pastorate, Rev. Daniel 
Lawrence, 9 



CHAPTER n. 1 761-1783. 

Rev. John Clark's Ministry. Parsonage Farm. The Seceder 
Church. Rev. John Rosbrugh's Ministry. Deeding 
of Church and Grave Yard Lots. Rev. P>ancis Pep- 
pard's Removal to the Settlement, 32 

CHAPTER m. 1 784-1 81 2. 

Rev. Francis Peppard's Pastorate. Incorporation. Rev. 
Robert Russel commences Ministry. Affairs of the 
Parsonage Farm. Building Grave Yard Wall. Sale 
of Old Church, 57 

CHAPTER IV. 1813-1825. 

New Location and New Church Building. Origin of 

Alternation in Services, 78 

CHAPTER V. 1826-1835. 

Unfortunate Investments. Failure of Northampton Bank. 
Rev. Robert Russel's Death. First Sessional Records. 
Pastorate of Rev, Brogan Hoff, 92 



viii Contents. 

CHAPTER VI. 1836-1869. 

Rev. I^eslie Irwin's Pastorate. First Preaching at Cata- 

sauqua, Preaching in Bath. Grave Yard Re-modeled, 108 

CHAPTER Vn. 1870-1875. 

Rev. D. M. James' Ministry. Causes of Settlement's 
decline. Auspicious Circumstances in Community. 
New Church at Bath. Re-modeling of Old Church at 
Weaversville, 125 

CHAPTER Vni. 

Sketches of Pastors. — Eleazer Wales, Daniel Lawrence, 
John Clark, John Rosbrugh, PVancis Peppard, Robert 
Russel, Brogan Hoff, Leslie Irwin, D. M. James, . . 145 

CHAPTER IX. 

Church Officers. — Elders, Trustees, Officers of Board, Col- 
lectors, 178 



ECCLESIASTICAL CONNECTIONS. 

1728-1738'?) — Presbytery of Philadelphia. 
1738-1751 — Presbytery of New Brunswick. 
1751-1758 — Presbytery^of Abington. 
1758-1770 — Presbytery of Philadelphia, (ist.) 
1770-1777 — Presbytery of New Brunswick. 
1777-1821 — Presbytery of Philadelphia, 
1821-1851 — Presbytery of Newton. 
1851-1870 — Presbytery of Philadelphia, (New 2d.) 
1870-1876 — Presbytery of Lehigh. 



Irish Settlement. 




CHAPTER I. 

1738-1760. 

N 1 728, John Boyd, who had married 
Jane Craig, went with Col. Thos. 
Craig from Philadelphia to the 
Forks of Delaware and settled in what was 
afterwards known as the Irish Settlement* 
At or about the same time, Hugh Wilson, 
Samuel Brown, and probably a few more 
went thither and setded. In 1731, there 
had accumulated a sufficient community to 
assume the name of the Craig Settlement. 
If the record from which we derive our 
information is correct as to dates, and that 
it is so is substantiated by the best of 
evidence, we find these families followed 
the example of the Scotch-Irish in other 
parts of the country, in occupying vacant 

* Hamilton Record. 



10 Insh Settlement. 

lands not yet opened to settlers. The 
Craig, or Irish Settlement, was in existence 
before the Aliens, whose name is identified 
with it, became possessed of the land which 
it occupied. The Aliens came into posses- 
sion in the following manner: In 1681, 
Charles II, of England, granted the province 
of Pennsylvania to Wm. Penn. At the 
death of Wm. Penn, in 1718, his sons, 
John, Thomas and Richard, became Pro- 
prietaries of the province. By a joint 
warrant of the Proprietaries, dated at 
London, May i8th, 1732, the Surveyor 
General of the province was directed to 
lay off a tract of five thousand acres for 
the personal use of Thomas Penn. This 
was done, and the tract thus laid off in- 
cluded the Craig, or Irish Settlement, as 
we shall presently see. The same day 
(May 1 8th, 1732,) on which the warrant 
was dated, Thomas Penn made an assign- 
ment of the tract of land to Joseph Turner, 
of Philadelphia. At this point the Aliens 
come to notice. Wm. Allen, Esq., of 
Philadelphia, who became the Hon. Wm. 
Allen, Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, in 
1750* was an intimate friend of the Penn 
family. His daughter, Ann, became the 
wife of Gov. John Penn. Through this 
intimacy, Wm. Allen acquired large landed 
estates in the province. Among others, he 
became possessed of the five thousand 



Irish Settlement. 11 

acre tract set off for the personal use of 
Thomas Penn. The warrant for the land 
which had passed into the hands of Joseph 
Turner, May i8th, 1732, was by him trans- 
ferred to Wm. Allen, Sept. loth, 1735. 
That this tract embraced the Craig, or 
Irish Setdement, is made clear from the 
following facts: June 13th, 174^,, Wm. 
Allen deeded over to James Craig two 
hundred and fifty acres of the five thou- 
sand acre tract. These two hundred and 
fifty acres acquired by James Craig, were 
in the immediate vicinity of the present 
church building at Weaversville, as the 
church and graveyard lots were deeded 
over to the congregation by James Craio-. 
Thus we see the Irish Settlement came 
under the auspices of the Allen family in 
1735. From Wm. Allen, or his heirs, the 
early settlers received the titles for their 
land, a fact which proved disastrous to 
many of them, as the Aliens espoused the 
royal cause in the American Revolution, 
and their lands, we believe, were forfeited. 
It is not unlikely that families removed 
to the Settlement between 1731-35, when 
Wm. Allen became possessed of the land. 
But when Mr. Allen assumed control there 
doubtless was a new incentive to the 
Scotch-Irish people to emigrate to that 
part of the country. Although he was a 
friend of the Penn family, he was also 



12 Irish Settlement. 

friendly to Presbyterianlsm. In 1755, 
when the Synod of Philadelphia provided 
a fund for the relief of the widows and 
children of deceased ministers, Hon. Wm. 
Allen became a trustee of the same. In 
1763, when the Synod of New York and 
Philadelphia desired to present an address 
to the King of England, Hon. Wm. Allen 
was chosen with others to bear the same 
to His Majesty. He presented one hun- 
dred acres of land to the Deep Run Pres- 
byterian Church as a parsonage farm. By 
these and other acts of consideration for 
Presbyterianlsm, we may justly infer that 
the Scotch-Irish were induced to settle 
upon lands owned by him that they might 
thereby secure the favor of one who was 
not averse to the religious principles held 
by them. By the year 1737, the Settle- 
ment had grown to considerable propor- 
tions. By this time we find the following 
families livine there : 

Thomas Craig, John Boyd, Hugh Wilson, 
James Horner, Thomas Armstrong, Robert 
Gregg, John Hays, James Kerr, James 
King, Arthur Lattlmer, John McNaIr, 
James Ralston, John Walker and Robert 
Walker. 

These, with a few others perhaps, may 
be regarded as the early settlers. With 
the Influx of Scotch-Irish families the Set- 
tlement gradually came Into notice as the 



Irish Settlement, 13 

Irish Settlement, instead of the Craig Set- 
tlement, so called from its founder. 

Having- the principles of Scotch-Irish 
Presbyterlanism within them, we may truly 
say they carried the Gospel with them into 
the wilderness. Although not absolutely 
positive, collateral evidence perhaps justi- 
fies us in making the statement that the 
Settlement Church was organized by the 
Presbytery of Philadelphia, under the 
ministry of Rev. Eleazer Wales, as early 
as 1 73 1, and that Thomas Craig, if not the 
original Elder, was at least a member of 
the first Session. 

It will be noticed that the names of Rev. 
Eleazer Wales and Elder Thomas Craig 
appear upon the roll of the Synod of 
Philadelphia for the first time, we believe, 
in 1 73 1. It would seem the Settlement 
Church had been organized by that time, 
and these representatives were present at 
Synod in performance of their duty. As- 
suming this to be the fact, we find this 
pastorate continued until 1734. In this 
year, however, " by the records of the 
Philadelphia Presbytery, It appears that 
the Rev. E. Wales resigned the pastoral 
charge of Allentown."* From 1734 to 
1738, the church seems to have been In 
an unsettled condition. In 1738, however, 

* Webster, in Rupp, p. 482. 



14 Irish Settlement. 

they sought supplies from the Presbytery 
of New Brunswick instead of Philadelphia. 

It appears that their application came 
up before the Presbytery for consideration 
July 31st, 1739, as they were convened at 
New Brunswick. In answer thereto, it 
was "agreed that Mr. Gilbert Tennent 
preach at the Forks sometime this fall." 
It seems Mr. Tennent fulfilled his appoint- 
ment, and visited the Settlement in the 
latter part of 1739. In the spring of 1740 
they again applied to the Presbytery for a 
supply of preaching. The matter came 
up for consideration May 31st of that 
year. The following action was taken 
with reference thereto : 

"In compliance with the afore-mentioned 
supplication for supplies, the Presbytery 
doth appoint as follows : That Mr. Robin- 
son supply the Forks the first Sabbath in 
July; that Mr. Campbell supply Tehicken 
half his time, and Newton and the Forks 
the other half equally between them." 

The Presbytery convened at New Bruns- 
wick again that year, August 2d, at which 
time it was reported that the foregoing 
appointments had been complied with. 
The same day " a call was presented from 
the Forks of Delaware for Mr. McKnight's 
labors." This call seems not to have been 
accepted. Two days later, at the same 
meeting of Presbytery, (August 4th, i 740,) 



Irish Se!tleme7ti. 15 

the people again petitioned for preaching. 
We find a reference made to it, under 
that date, in the following record : 

"A petition from the Forks of the Dela- 
ware and Mr. Green's being presented to 
the Presbytery, in compliance therewith 
they thought proper to advise Mr. Camp- 
bell to supply them as often as he shall 
judge proper, till our next." 

How often, or just what length of time 
Mr. Campbell continued to preach under 
this appointment, does not appear. He 
ceased, however, before the spring of 
1742. On May 29th, 1742, we find the 
people petitioning again for preaching. 
This time they petitioned in conjunction 
with Greenwich. We are unable to decide 
from the records whether this petition from 
the Forks was from the Mt. Bethel people, 
to the exclusion of the Settlement ; or from 
the Settlement to the exclusion of Mt. 
Bethel ; or from them both conjointly. 
There is little doubt, however, but that 
the application was at least shared by the 
Settlement people. The minister they de- 
sired to have sent to them was Rev. Chas. 
McKnight. The application came up be- 
fore Presbytery on the above date, as the 
Presbytery was convened in Philadelphia. 
Whether Mr. McKnieht was secured or 
not does not appear. If he did go it was 
but for a short time, for Oct. 12th of this 



16 hdsh Settlemeitf, 

year we find the people again asking for 
supplies. In answer to this application 
the Presbytery appointed Mr. Campbell 
to devote one-third of his time to them. 
For immediate supply of the pulpit we find 
the following appointments by Presbytery : 
Rev. Wm. Dean was appointed to preach 
the next Sabbath (/. e., next after Oct. 13th, 
1742,) at Neshaminy, and then three Sab- 
baths at the Forks of the Delaware. After 
this he was to supply Cohansie and Cape 
May until within three Sabbaths of the 
next meeting of the Presbytery, which was 
to be on the fourth Tuesday of May, 1743. 
These three Sabbaths were to be spent in 
the Forks of Delaware. 

With Mr. Campbell devoting one-third 
of his time to the Settlement and Green- 
wich, in addition to these six Sabbaths 
of Mr. Dean, the Settlement must have 
enjoyed a good supply of preaching from 
October 12th, 1742, to the latter part of 
May, 1743. At the meeting of Presby- 
tery in Philadelphia, on the fourth Tuesday 
of Ma}^ (May 26th,) 1743, three calls were 
presented for the services of Mr. Dean. 
One from the Forks of Delaware, one 
from the Forks of Brandywine, and one 
from Cape May. Mr. Dean not being 
prepared to decide whether he would 
accept one or any of these calls, was 
granted till the next meeting of Presby- 



Irish Settlement. 17 

tery to consider the matter. In the mean- 
time Presbytery directed Mr. Dean to 
supply the Forks of Delaware until their 
next meeting; at the same time preach as 
much as was convenient at Pequea. The 
Presbytery next convened August 12th,. 
1 743, at which time Mr. Dean, by letter, 
signified that he was not yet ready to de- 
clare his acceptance of any one of the calls 
which had been presented to him, but was 
willing to continue to supply under the 
then existing arrangement. Presbytery 
directed him to continue to supply In the 
Forks of Delaware, and Instead of preach- 
ing at Pequea and Forks of Brandywine, 
as was Intended, devote that time to 
preaching at Tehicken and Bethlehem, N.. 
J. At a meeting of Presbytery held Oct. 
1 2th, 1743, Mr. Dean declared his non- 
acceptance of any of the calls that had 
been presented to him. It now seems his 
labors ceased in this locality until the next 
year. We find the next day, Oct. 13th, 
1743, Mr. Campbell is permitted by Pres- 
bytery to supply Tehicken and Bethle- 
hem, which had been assigned to Mr. 
Dean. If he had been devoting one-third 
of his tim2 to the Forks of Delaware and 
Greenwich, as by appointment Oct. 12th,. 
1742, which does not clearly appear, he 
now ceased to devote so much time to the 
Settlement as formerly. Presbytery simply 



18 h'ish Settlement. 

requested him to supply the Forks of 
Delaware sometimes. At this same meet- 
ing of Presbytery, Oct. 13, 1743, Rev. 
Charles Beatty was ordered to supply In 
the Forks of Delaware sometimes. At 
the spring meeting of Presbytery, 1744, 
we find the people asking supplies. The 
Presbytery considered their petition May 
26th, and accordingly sent Mr. Dean to 
supply the Forks till the next meeting, 
which was on Sept. 12th. There being no 
record to the contrary it is presumed Mr. 
Dean fulfilled the appointment. Whether 
he devoted his whole time to the Settle- 
ment or not does not appear ; at all events 
we find that during this summer of 1744, 
David Brainerd, the celebrated missionary 
to the Indians, made his first recorded 
visit to the Settlement. From Mr. Brai- 
nerd's diary we learn that he preached 
there July 23d, 1744, from Matt, v, 3 : 

*' Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaven." 

On the 4th of the following September, 
he again preached there. His text was, 
Luke xiv, 22 : 

'' And the servant said, Lord it is done as Thou 
hast commanded, and yet there is room." 

Presbytery convened Sept. 12th, 1744, 
at which time Mr. Dean's appointment 



Irish Settlement. 19 

in the Forks having closed, the people 
renewed their application for supplies. In 
accordance with this application Rev. Elea- 
zer Wales, their old pastor, was appointed 
to supply them the two last Sabbaths of 
September, and the first Sabbath of October. 
Mr. Beatty was also appointed to supply 
one Sabbath, and Mr. Dean as much as he 
could until the next meeting of Presbytery, 
We find, however, that Mr. Dean did not 
preach in the Settlement in accordance 
with this appointment, as he was dismissed 
by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, Oct. 
4th, of this year, to connect himself with 
the Presbytery of New Castle. In the 
latter part of October, of this year, we find 
David Brainerd again visiting the Settle- 
ment. He speaks of making a journey 
from the Susquehanna to the Forks of the 
Delaware. At the end of the second day's 
journey he says he and his party came to- 
an Irish Settlement. The distance from^ 
the Susquehanna to the Setdement being 
about two days' journey, and on the direct 
route to the Forks of the Delaware at 
Easton, there is litde doubt but that this, 
and the Irish settlement spoken of in Mr. 
Brainerd's diary, are identical. On this 
journey the Rev. Eliab Byram, member 
of the Presbytery of New York, accom- 
panied him. They arrived at the Setde- 



20 Irish Settle^nent. 

inent on Saturday evening, and the next 
day preached to the people. 

On the 14th of April, 1745, we find in 
the diary of Mr. Brainerd the following 
record : 

"Was disordered in body with fatigue of 
the late journey, but was enabled, how- 
ever, to preach to a considerable assembly 
of white people, gathered from all parts 
round about, with some freedom, from 
Ezek. xxxiii, 11." 

This was at Mt. Bethel or Easton, some 
doubt existing as to which of these places 
was the scene of Mr. Brainerd's mission- 
ary labors. However, some of the white 
people referred to were doubtless from 
the Irish Settlement. 

On May 19th, 1745, the Presbytery met 
and the Setdement people made their 
usual application for preaching, accom- 
panying it with a request for the adminis- 
tration of the Lord's Supper in their midst. 
From the records of this meeting of Pres- 
bytery we learn that Mr. Daniel Lawrence 
preached at the Forks and Greenwich on 
the last Sabbath in June. 

Presbytery convened Sept. 20th, 1745, 
at which time two calls were brought in 
for the pastoral services of Mr. Daniel 
Lawrence. The one was from the two 
Bethlehems, the other from Maidenhead 
and Hopewell. Mr. Lawrence not being 



IrisJi Settlement. 21 

present at the meetlnor- of Presbytery, con- 
sideration of these calls was deferred until 
the next meeting. Under t'ne circum- 
stances, Mr. Lawrence was directed to 
supply two Sabbaths at Maidenhead and 
Hopewell, and then he was to repair to 
the Forks of the Delaware. He was to 
supply two-thirds of his time in the Forks, 
and devote the other third to the two 
Bethlehems. 

In the early part of 1 746, we find David 
Brainerd again in the Settlement. In his 
diary, under date of Feb. .18th, 1746, we 
find the following record : 

'' Preached to an assembly of . Irish 
people nearly fifteen miles distant from the 
Indians." This distance beingf about the 
same as that from Easton to Weaversville, 
there is little doubt but that this sermon 
was preached in the Irish Settlement, near 
the latter place. This was near the end of 
Mr. Brainerd's earthly labors, as he died 
in 1747. 

About the year 1746, the first church 
buildinor was erected in the Settlement. 

o 

It was a rude log structure and stood a 
little to the southeast of the present church 
building. 

The graveyard was occupied for burial 
purposes about the same time, or perhaps 
a little earlier. The oldest stone is in 



22 Irish Settlement, 

memory of James King, one of the first 
settlers, and bears date of 1745. 

July 2 1 St, 1746, Presbytery convened. 
At this meeting there was a supplication 
from the congregations of Maidenhead and 
Hopewell, requesting the labors of Mr. 
Lawrence until the next meeting of Pres- 
bytery, by way of trial, with a view to his 
settlement among them. Also a similar 
supplication from the Forks of Delaware, 
for his services for one year with a view to 
his settlement there. Likewise a supplica- 
tion from the Bethlehems for the same 
purpose. Some people from Oxford 
Furnace also supplicated that they might 
share the labors of Mr. Lawrence in case 
he should be appointed to supply the 
Forks of Delaware. It seems that in the 
midst of this clamor, as it were, for the 
services of Mr. Lawrence, the Presbytery 
returned him to his labors in the Forks, 
with instructions to preach every fifth 
Sabbath at Tunis Quick's, (?) in the Forks 
of the Delaware. Thus things seem to 
have remained until the meeting of Presby- 
tery, Oct. 1 6th, of this year. At this 
meeting, the people in the Forks renewed 
their call for Mr. Lawrence to undertake 
the pastoral charge among them. The 
matter being proposed to him by Presby- 
tery, he signified his acceptance of the 
the call ; Presbytery thereupon appointed 



Irish Settlement. 23 

a committee to ordain and Install him. 
This committee was composed of Rev. 
Richard Treat, Rev. James Campbell, Rev. 
James Davenport, Rev. James McCrea 
and Rev. Charles Beatty. Rev. Richard 
Treat was to " preside over the whole 
affair." Mr. Lawrence was given John Hi, 
1 8, from which to preach a popular sermon 
as part of trial for ordination. He was 
also directed to prepare a Latin Exegesis 
and hand It In to the committee, In the 
Forks of the Delaware, on the first day of 
April, 1747. The committee having as- 
sembled In the Forks at this time, and 
these requirements having been complied 
with on the part of Mr. Lawrence, Presby- 
tery directed the committee to proceed to 
his ordination and installation If the way 
should be found In all other respects clear. 
The ordination and Installation was to 
take place April 2d. The instructions of 
Presbytery were carried out, as we learn 
from the following report : 

''Forks of Delaware, April id, 1747. 

" The Committee appointed by the Presbytery to 
attend to the ordination of Mr. Daniel Lawrence, 
viz : Mr. Treat, Mr. Davenport, Mr. McCrea, 
Mr. Campbell, (Mr. Beatty for good reasons not 
attending,) did, according to appointment, meet at 
the place, and having yesterday heard him preach 
a sermon on John iii, 18, and received his Exegesis 
(upon the question assigned,) both to good satisfac- 



24 Lrish Settlement. 

tion, and there appearing no objection in the way, 
they proceeded this day according to appointment, 
with fasting and prayer and imposition of hands, to 
ordain Mr. Lawrence to the Gospel ministry over 
this people. Concluded with prayer and blessing. 
Then and there it was agreed by the representatives 
of the two settlements that they have and desire to 
be united ; that so long as Mr. Lawrence shall con- 
tinue to be minister to them both that he shall preach 
two-thirds of his time at the western settlement, and 
the other one-third part at the northern without any 
alteration except by judgment of Presbytery." 



Thus did Mr. Lawrence commence his 
pastoral labors at the Setdement, April 2d, 

1747, devoting to them two-thirds of his 
time. On account of some difficulty with 
the people, as well as ill-health, he spent 
the winter of i 747, and spring of i 748, at 
Cape May. 

At a meeting of the Synod of New 
York, convened at Maidenhead, May i8th, 

1748, we find the following record. At 
the sitting of the Synod on the forenoon 
of May 19th, "motion was made to the 
Synod in behalf of Cape May, in order to 
have some provision made for the settle- 
ment of a minister there. * * * The 
Synod proceeded to consider the motion 
respecting Cape May, and in order to the 
relief of that people, the Synod doth 
recommend to the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick to send down Mr. Lawrence 
immediately for a few Sabbaths." 



Irish Settlemenf. 25 

Thus It would seem Mr. Lawrence, by 
his sojourn at Cape May during the winter 
opened the way for his return thither In 
the spring-, as above Indicated. How long 
he remained there at this time does not 
appear. It was probably, however, only 
for the few Sabbaths Indicated. Return- 
ing to the Settlement he seems to have 
continued his labors until the spring of 

1752. 

In the meantime the Synod of New- 
York organized a new Presbytery called 
Ablngton. This occurred In 1751. The 
new Presbytery was to be composed of 
those members of the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick who lived In Pennsylvania, and 
those who lived In New Jersey, " to the 
southward of Philadelphia, bordering upon 
Delaware." 

Thus the Church In the Settlement with 
Its pastor came under the jurisdiction of 
the Presbytery of Ablngton. 

The first meeting of the Presbytery, by 
direction of Synod, was on the third Wed- 
nesday of May, (20th,) 1752, In the city 
of Philadelphia. At this meeting, " Cape 
May supplicated that Mr. Lawrence might 
be sent unto them on trial for settlement, 
In case he be liberated from his present 
charge." The matter of the dissolution of 
the pastoral relation between Mr. Lawrence 
and the Church In the Settlement, came up 



28 Irish Settlement, 

for consideration in Presbytery the next 
day. After hearing Mr. Lawrence and the 
commissioners from the congregation, the 
Presbytery finally dissolved the pastoral 
relation, assigfnine as a reason for doinof 
so, the feeble health of Mr. Lawrence and 
the prospect of his recovery by remov- 
ing to some other field of labor. Thus the 
Church became vacant May 21st, 1752. 

During Mr. Lawrence's ministry, we 
find the following names as being, at least 
financially, connected with the church : 
John Boyd, Wm. Young, George Gibson, 
Robert Gibson, James Hope, John Riddle, 
Widow Dobbin, James Kerr, Widow King, 
James Craig, Wm. Craig, Thomas Craig, 
James Ralston, Joseph Perry, James Perry, 
James Egleson and Andrew Mann. 

These are the first names entered in the 
first account book extant of the congrega- 
tion. We find the following inscript on 
written upon the (inside) cover of this 
book : 

" The account book of the congregation 
of the West Branch of Delaware in the 
Forks, Jan. 9th, 1 749. The payments to 
commence May ist, 1749, and condnue 
accordinof to terms." 

The Church, during its early history, was 
designated by the name of " Forks of 
Delaware," as well as Allentown. After 
Mr. Lawrence left the congregation, in 



Irish Settlement. 27 

1752, till I 761, they were supplied princi- 
pally by Presbytery. 

As appears from the records of the 
Presbyteries, these supplies were as follows: 
Immediately upon the dissolution of the 
pastoral relation, the commissioners from 
the congregation present at that meeting 
of the Presbytery, May 21st, 1752, asked 
for supplies. In answer to this request 
Mr. Lawrence was to supply two Sabbaths, 
Mr. Charles Beatty, two; Mr. James(?) 
Campbell, two ; Mr. Thomas Lewis, one. 
Further, provisionally, Mr. Beatty, Mr. 
Campbell, Mr. Richard Treat and Mr. 
Lewis were to supply them, each one 
Sabbath In addition. 

At the meeting of Presbytery at Phila- 
delphia, Sept. 19th, 1752, supplies were 
asked for. 

Mr. Lawrence was appointed to preach 
four Sabbaths; Mr. Beatty, two; Mr. Camp- 
bell, two ; and " if Mr. Morrison be at 
liberty he is desired to supply this winter 
between Tehlcken and the Forks." 

At Presbytery in Philadelphia, May 16, 

1753, supplies were asked for. Mr. Law- 
rence was appointed to supply " two or 
three at the Forks." 

June 20th, of this year, preaching was 
again applied for, and Mr. Henry (?) 
Martin was sent to preach four Sabbaths. 

At Philadelphia, Oct. 4th, 1753, 



28 Ii^ish Settlemejit. 

"Application was also made from both 
settlements in the Forks of Delaware for 
supplies, and the North Branch particularly 
desire leave to apply to the Presbytery of 
New Brunswick, or any other Presbytery 
belonging to our Synod, for the same 
purpose." 

The next month, Nov. 21st, there was a 
meeting of Presbytery in Philadelphia, at 
which time Mr. Benjamin Chestnut was 
appointed to preach four Sabbaths, and 
Mr. Henry Martin four. At this meeting 
the Presbytery said : 

" The Forks of Delaware have full lib- 
erty to make application to any Presby- 
tery belonging to our Synod for as much 
supply as they can afford." 

At a meeting of the Presbytery, at New- 
ton, April 9th, 1754, Mr. Martin reported 
that he had preached two of the Sabbaths 
of his appointment at the " Forks," but 
had failed the other two for reasons which 
were sustained by the Presbytery. 

At this meeting appointments were made 
for the Settlement, as follows : 

Rev. Andrew Hunter, third and fourth 
Sabbaths of September; Mr. Chestnut, 
four Sabbaths; Mr. Martin, two; Mr. 
Beatty, two. These appointments were 
subsequently reported complied with. 

Philadelphia, November 5th, 1754. Mr. 
Hunter was appointed to supply three 



Irish Settlement. 29 

Sabbaths ; and Mr. Martin, two ; which 
were complied with. 

Philadelphia, May 28th, 1 755. Mr. Law- 
rence was sent to supply the first Sabbath 
of October ; Mr. Martin, two Sabbaths ; 
and Mr. Chestnut, two. 

At this meeting- of Presbytery, " the con- 
gregation in the Forks of the Delaware " 
asked permission to present a call to a 
"candidate," under the care of the Presby- 
tery of New Brunswick, and if he did not 
accept, asked for what supplies the Presby- 
tery might be able to give them. 

This request was acceded to, but wha 
the call was made out for does not appear. 
That it was not accepted is manifest from 
the fact that the congregation remained 
vacant for several years after. 

Philadelphia, October 21st, 1755. Mr. 
Beatty, Mr. Chestnut and Mr. Martin 
were appointed to supply each one Sab- 
bath, and fulfilled their appointments. 

Philadelphia, September 2 1 st, 1 756. Mr. 
Beatty appointed to supply three Sabbaths ; 
Mr. Chestnut, three ; and Mr. Martin, two, 
before the next (May) meeting of the Pres- 
bytery. 

Philadelphia, May 24th, 1757. Rev. 
Wm. Ramsey appointed to supply the 
last Sabbath in June and first two in July; 
Mr. Martin, two, before next meeting of 
Presbytery; Mr. Chestnut, the first two 



30 Irish Settlement. 

Sabbaths In August; and Mr. Beatty, the 
first Sabbath in September. 

Philadelphia, October 4th, 1757. Mr. 
Martin appointed to preach four Sabbaths ; 
Mr. Beatty, one ; and Mr. Chestnut, the 
second Sabbath of November. 

Philadelphia, May 17th, 1758. Mr. 
Chestnut, to preach two Sabbaths ; and 
Mr. Martin to devote one-fourth of his 
time to the Church in the Settlement. 

Philadelphia, November 3 1 st, 1 758. Mr. 
Chestnut appointed to preach two Sabbaths 
in the fall, and two In the spring; and Mr. 
Martin, to preach four Sabbaths, two of 
them to be In the winter. 

Philadelphia, May 15th, 1759. Rev. 
James Latta appointed to preach the 
fourth and fifth Sabbaths in September ; 
Mr. Chestnut, four Sabbaths, two of them 
being the last Sabbath in July and the first 
in August; Mr. Beatty, two Sabbaths; and 
Mr. Martin, "as much as he can." 

Philadelphia, October 2d, 1759. Pres- 
bytery appointed that Mr. Martin preach 
four Sabbaths; Mr. Chestnut, four; Rev. 
John SImonton, two ; and Mr. Beatty, two. 

Philadelphia, May 14th, 1760. Rev. 
Joseph Montgomery to preach one Sab- 
bath ; and Mr. Latta, two. 

Philadelphia, August 20th, 1760. Mr. 
Latta to supply two Sabbaths. 

Philadelphia, November 20th, 1 760. Mr. 



Iinsh Settlement. 31 

Latta, to supply two Sabbaths before the 
next meeting of Presbytery ; and Mr. 
Chestnut, two Sabbaths in March. 

Thus is completed the list of supplies 
for this long vacancy. 

In addition to these supplies, furnished 
by the Presbyteries of Abington and Phila- 
delphia, under whose jurisdiction the 
Church was during this vacancy, we find, 
from evidence preserved in the bounds of 
the congregation, that Rev. Benjamin Hait, 
of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, 
preached in 1758; and Rev. Thomas 
Lewis, of the Presbytery of Suffolk, 
preached in 1759. 

Notwithstanding this long vacancy in 
the pastorate, the congregation seems to 
have been in a prosperous condition, as 
the following record goes to show : 

*' August 2 1 St. This day, as some people 
of this congregation hath for some time 
past wanted convenient seats, it is unani- 
mously agreed to allow one long seat on 
each side, viz : one before Wm. Hazlet, to 
John Hays and son, and one on the other 
side to John Clendinen. Also, it is pro- 
posed to set one short seat on the upper 
side of the pulpit. It is agreed that the 
above-mentioned seats are only to accom- 
modate people for the present, till other 
accommodations be made." 



32 Irish Settle77ient. 




CHAPTER II. 

1761-1783. 

N 1758, the Old Side and New Light 
parties in the Presbyterian Church 
united. This made some changes 
necessary in the arrangement of Presby- 
teries. Accordingly the Presbytery of 
Abino^ton, which had belonored to the 
New Light party, was merged into that 
of Philadelphia. The Church in the Set- 
tlement, therefore, now came under the 
care of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. 

At a meeting of this Presbytery, In 
Philadelphia, Aug. 13th, 1761, Rev. John 
Clark presented his credentials from the 
Presbytery of New Brunswick and was 
received a member of the Presbytery. 
The same day a call was presented to him 
from the " Forks of Delaware." He took 
the matter under consideration until the 
next meeting. In the meantime he was 
directed to supply " at the Forks of Dela- 
ware in the following manner, viz : two 
Sabbaths at Allenstown and one at Hunters' 
Settlement, interchangeably, except two 
Sabbaths at Tehicken." 



Ii^isJi Settlement. 33 

Here, it will be observed, the church 
began to assume the name of Allentown, 
to more clearly distinguish it from the 
other church in the " Forks," Mt. Bethel, 
at Hunter's Settlement. 

For some reason, which does not clearly 
appear, the congregation became divided 
upon the subject of calling Mr. Clark. At 
the next meeting of the Presbytery, Nov. 
17th, 1 761, both parties appeared, to press 
their views in the matter. The one party 
did not wish the Presbytery to permit Mr. 
Clark to accept the call which he had under 
consideration ; the other insisted upon their 
right to call him. The Presbytery in- 
quired of the commissioners from the con- 
gregation, who favored the calling of Mr. 
Clark, whether they thought they were 
able to support him as promised in their 
call, in case the opposing party declined 
to assist. If they thought they could they 
were granted liberty to prosecute their 
call, leaving the opposing party to act 
according to their own judgment. It seems 
the friends of Mr. Clark expressed their 
ability to fulfil their promises to him, as, at 
a later hour of the same day, " Mr. Clark 
signified to the Presbytery his acceptance 
of the call from the Forks of Delaware, 
in which they promise him, during his 
continuance with them as a regular Gospel 



34 Irish SetllemeJtt. 

minister, the sum of * * * * pounds per 
annum and the use of a parsonage." 

At this meeting of Presbytery, Mr. Latta 
was appointed to preach at the Settlement 
three Sabbaths in March ; and Mr. Chest- 
nut, the last Sabbath of November. It 
would seem the dissatisfied ones in the 
congregation were not disposed to acqui- 
esce in the settlement of Mr. Clark, as we 
find that at the meeting of Presbytery 
in Philadelphia, April 6th, 1762, "A 
few people in the Forks of Delaware 
applied for preaching." It seems there 
were criminations and recriminations. The 
installation of Mr. Clark had been defer- 
red up to this time, probably on account 
'of the difficulties in the congregation. 
Now, however, a request was preferred 
for his installation. The request was 
acceded to by Presbytery, but the time for 
the installation was to be fixed at the next 
meeting. Accordingly, May i8th, 1762, 
at Philadelphia, the Presbytery fixed Wed- 
nesday, October 13th, following, as the day 
for Mr. Clark's installation. Rev. Richard 
Treat was to preside and preach the 
sermon. Rey^ Henry Martin, Rev. James 
Latta, and Rev. Charles Beatty, were to 
assist in the other parts of the service. 
This committee reported to Presbytery, 
Nov. 9th, 1762, that they had installed 
Mr. Clark according to appointment. 



Irish Settlement. 35 

Thus the church came under the care 
of a regular pastor again, Oct. 13th, 1762. 
In order that the ecclesiastical connections 
of the church may be properly traced, It 
should be remembered that during this 
year, 1762, the Presbytery of Philadelphia 
was divided. The two Presbyteries were 
designated respectively First and Second 
Presbyteries of Philadelphia. The Church 
in the Settlement was under the care of 
the First Presbytery. It should be remem- 
bered also, that Mr. Clark was installed 
pastor of the two congregations, Allentown 
and Mount Bethel. It seems the troubles 
in the Settlement Church well nigh, if not 
wholly, subsided after the installation of 
Mr. Clark. Apparently things moved 
along smoothly in the pastoral charge until 
1766. October 26th, 1766, however, diffi- 
culties in the Mount Bethel Church were 
brought to the attention of Presbytery, 
Mr. Clark desired to be released from his 
pastoral charge. This was not acceded to 
by Presbytery, but all parties were coun- 
seled to exercise Christian forbearance, 
and settle their difficulties in an amicable 
manner. Thus things were quieted down 
till the next spring. April 7th, 1767, how- 
ever, the Mount Bethel people asked 
Presbytery to appoint a committee to 
inquire into their affairs, and call Mr. Clark 
to account upon some charges which they 



6 Irish Setlleinent, 



desired to prefer against him. Mr. Clark 
made a satisfactory explanation to Presby- 
tery in regard to the matters, and Rev. 
Charles Beatty and Rev. Wm. Ramsey 
were sent to Mount Bethel as a healing 
committee. Notwithstanding this, May 
2 1 St, 1767, commissioners from Mount 
Bethel reported to Presbytery that there 
was no hope of peace and reconciliation 
among them ; whereupon Rev. Richard 
Treat, Rev. Enoch Green and Rev. Benja- 
min Chestnut, from the First Philadelphia 
Presbytery, were added to the committee 
already appointed, and Rev, John Hanna, 
Rev. Wm. Kirkpatrlck, and Rev. John 
Rosbrugh, of the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick, were invited to meet with 
them at Mount Bethel on the third Tues- 
day of June, and endeavor to settle the 
difficulties. Nov. 3d, 1767, this committee 
reported that some of them had fulfilled 
the duties of their appointment, but as 
there was not a quorum present, they had 
taken no decisive action. They had, how- 
ever, endeavored to allay the existing 
animosities. 

The next day, however, November 4th, 
owing to the gloomy aspect of affairs and 
bodily weakness of the pastor. Presbytery 
released Mr. Clark from his pastoral 
.charge. Thus the Church in the Settle- 



hnsh Setilemetit. 37 

ment became vacant again, November 4th, 

It was during Mr. Clark's ministry that 
we have the first recorded Indian murder 
in the Settlement. The victim was the 
wife of James Horner, one of the early- 
settlers. Her remains lie in the old church 
yard. Having traced the pastorate of this 
period to its close, we return to the secu- 
lar affairs of the congregation. In 1761, 
the congregation purchased a piece of land 
from Samuel Wilson, containing about 
eighty-two acres, for a parsonage farm. 
The transfer was made in the name of 
Thomas Armstrong and James Ralston, as 
contributors to the purchase price. They 
were to hold it in trust for the congrega- 
tion. These eighty-two acres were a part 
of a tract of two hundred and fifty acres, 
purchased by Samuel Wilson from Zecha- 
riah and David Jones, " of White Clay 
Creek Hundred, (?) in the county of New 
Castle, upon Delaware." David and Zecha- 
riah Jones, here spoken of, were the heirs 
and executors of the will of their father, 
Morgan Jones, of " Hundred of Pecander, 
in county of New Castle, upon Delaware." 
The assignment made by them to Samuel 
Wilson was on January ist, 1761. The 
assignment made by Samuel Wilson, of the 
eighty-two acres, was on March 2d, 1761. 

The purchase price was two hundred 



38 Irish Settlement. 

and two pounds. The situation of this 
parsonage farm was perhaps a half mile or 
a mile north of the present village of How- 
ertown. As the property was simply held 
by Thomas Armstrong, and James Ral- 
ston, in trust for the congregation, it was 
deemed necessary to make some public 
declaration as to whom the property in 
reality belonged ; and what the original 
intent was in its purchase ; and also to 
bind those who might come after them in 
the trust, so that the property thus belong- 
ing to the congregation might not be 
squandered, and the trust abused. Ac- 
cordingly, in 1767, Thomas Armstrong and 
James Ralston made a declaration, the 
purport of which was as follows : 

The property, although deeded over to 
them in person, did not belong to them 
exclusively, but they were only contribu- 
tors to the purchase price, together with 
others. Their names were only used in 
the transfer, at the special request of the 
other contributors. The names of the 
other contributors were James Craig, 
Arthur Lattimore, Charles Wilson, John 
Walker, James Kerr, William Heaslet, 
James Horner, John Riddle, David Cham- 
bers, John Ralston, Mary King, Robert 
Lattimore, William McNair, John McNair, 
and Alexander Dobbin, of Allen Township, 
and Thomas Herron, of Moore Township. 



Irish Settlement. 39 

Samuel Wilson, from whom the property 
was purchased, was himself a contributor. 
The trustees could not sell the property, 
without the consent of a majority of the 
contributors, or their heirs. This consent 
had to be given in writing, and signed by 
the contributors or their heirs. In case 
any one of the original contributors died 
before such consent might be required, his 
or their heirs had the riofht to vote instead. 
The heirs, however, could only cast one 
vote, and this was b) the oldest living son. 
If no son happened to be alive to cast the 
vote, then the oldest living daughter had 
the right to vote. If there was no daugh- 
ter, then the principal heir mentioned in 
the will of the deceased contributor. And 
if such heir was not alive, then the oldest 
son or daughter of such heir was to vote, 
as in the case of the son or daughter of the 
contributor himself. This consent being 
thus obtained, the trustees had a right to 
sell the property and make a deed for the 
same. They also had the power to sue 
for any portion of the sale price, if it w^as 
necessary. The price of the property was 
to be divided among the contributors, or 
their heirs, in proportion to the amounts 
respectively contributed. A list of the 
contributors, with the amounts contributed, 
was given to determine the/r<9 7'ata of dis- 
tribution, If it should ever be needed. If 



40 Irish Settlenienf, 

the price of the property was received In 
payments, the trustees were to divide each 
payment In the proper proportions. They 
were not to bear more than their proper 
proportion of the expenses attending the 
sale of the property or the collection of the 
money for which It was sold. They were 
not bound to proceed to the collection of 
such money without the direction of the 
contributors or their heirs, and not then 
until money was furnished them to defray 
the expense of such collection ; nor were 
they responsible for the loss by bankruptcy, 
or any other cause over which they had no 
control, of any part of the price. 

Such was the jealous care with which 
the Interests of the Church and people 
were watched over. 

About this time the congregation In the 
Setdement became weakened, probably on 
account of the formation of the Associate 
Presbyterian Church. The seceded min- 
isters came to Pennsylvania in 1754. 
They had a congregation at Deep Run. 
They built a church at Howertown, but 
never had a minister. The Rev. Wm. 
Marshall, of Philadelphia, Clerk of the 
Associate Presbytery, however, visited 
them from time to time. Many of the 
Associate ministers and churches joined 
with the Reformed Presbyterians in form- 
ing the Associate Reformed Presbyterian 



IrisJi Settlement. 41 

body. The faithful remnant in the " Forks " 
would not acquiesce, and removed to West- 
ern Pennsylvania. The old log" church is 
gone and the graves near it are overgrown 
with trees. 

The vacancy in the Settlement Church, 
after Mr. Clark left, was not of long dura- 
tion. From time to time supplies were 
granted by Presbytery. The next spring 
after Mr. Clark left, the Presbytery, May 
28th, 1768, sent Rev. Alexander Mitchell 
to supply two Sabbaths, and again, Nov.. 
23d, to supply one Sabbath. 

March 29th, 1769, the Settlement people 
asked permission of Presbytery to present 
a call to Rev. John Rosbrugh, of the Pres- 
bytery of New Brunswick. They were 
advised to secure, in connection with Mt. 
Bethel, as much of Mr. Rosbrugh's time as 
they could. As Mr. Rosbrugh was con- 
nected with the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
wick, the people thought it would be to- 
their advantage to be transferred from the 
care of the First Philadelphia Presbytery 
to that of the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
wick. They, therefore, petitioned the 
Synod, convened at Philadelphia, May 23d,. 
1769, to transfer them to the care of the 
latter Presbytery. The committee from 
the congregation and both Presbyteries 
concerned were heard, after which the 
Synod deemed it not expedient at that 
3* 



42 Iiish Settlement. 

time to accede to the request. They, 
however, directed the First Presbytery of 
Philadelphia to inquire more particularly 
into the circumstances of the congregation, 
and if they found it expedient, they were 
empowered to transfer them according to 
their desire. 

The Presbytery did inquire into the 
matter. In the meantime, Nov. 9th, 1769, 
the people asked for supplies. In answer, 
Mr. Mitchell was sent to preach one Sab- 
bath in the fall, and Mr. Boyd one Sabbath 
in the spring. 

At the same time Presb)tery expressed 
the hope that a part of the time of Mr. 
Rosbrugh might be secured. They also 
suggested the propriety of Mr. Rosbrugh's 
conne.ctinor himself with the First Philadel- 
phia Presbytery. 

In pursuance of the action of 1769, we 
find the following minute made by Synod, 
May 2 1 St, 1770, while in session in New 
York: 

"The First Presbytery of Philadelphia 
reported that, in compliance with an order 
of Synod last year, they had, in conjunction 
with the Presbytery of New Brunswick, 
inquired particularly into the state and 
connections of the congregation of Allen- 
town, in the Forks of Delaware, and it is 
the unanimous opinion of both Presbyteries 
that it is at present most subservient to 



Irish Settlement. 43 

the interests of religion in those parts, for 
the Presbytery of New Brunswick to take 
under their care, not only the congregation 
of Allentown, but also the congregation of 
Mt. Bethel, both of which are in the Forks 
of Delaware, and both which have been 
under the care of the First Philadelphia 
Presbytery. The Synod therefore orders 
the Presbytery of New Brunswick to take 
both the said congregations under their 
care for the future." 

Thus was the church returned to the 
care of the New Brunswick Presbytery,, 
from which it was separated by the erection 
of the Presbytery of Abington in 1751. 

Whilst these matters were going on in 
the Synod, and First Philadelphia Presby- 
tery, corresponding movements had existed 
in the Presbytery of New Brunswick which 
were calculated to lead Mr. Rosbrugh to 
the pastorate of the Church in the Settle- 
ment. April 19th, 1768, that Presbytery 
had directed him to preach one Sabbath at: 
the Settlement before the spring meeting 
of the Presbytery. April i8th, 1769, he 
was released from his former pastoral 
charge, and the same day received a call 
to the Church in the Setdement, in con- 
nection with the church at Greenwich.. 
He was granted permission to accept this- 
call upon condition that the Allentown 
Church should be transferred to the care 



44 L'ish Settlement. 

of the Presbytery of New Brunswick. This 
accounts for the presentation of the petition 
by the Allentown people to the Synod, on 
the 23d of May following, for the transfer 
of the congregation. Mr. Rosbrugh had 
been at the Settlement and had expressed 
his acceptance of their call, April 3d, pre- 
vious to its presentation to him in Presby- 
tery on the 1 8th of the same month. 
This is made explicit by the following 
record in the books of the congregation : 

*' The Rev. John Rosbrugh accepted the 
call of Allentown congregation the 3d day 
of April, 1769 ; that is to allow the congre- 
gation two-thirds of his time for * * * * 
pounds per annum." 

Having expressed his acceptance to the 
people, and learned the conditions upon 
which the Presbytery would allow him to 
accept it, it was natural for the people to 
seek to fulfil the conditions, viz : the trans- 
fer of the congregation. From the time 
Mr. Rosbrugh expressed his willingness to 
accept this call, his time was doubdess 
largely if not exclusively devoted to the 
Settlement and Greenwich, 

The petition for the transfer of the con- 
gregation not being granted In 1769, as 
we have seen, the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick appointed Mr. Rosbrugh, Oct. 
19th, 1769, " constant supply to the people 
of Greenwich and Allentown " until the 



Irish Settlement. 45 

next meeting, except three Sabbaths, which 
he was to devote to Mt. Bethel. As we 
have seen, the Synod transferred the 
Church in the Settlement to the care of 
the Presbytery of New Brunswick, May 
2 1 St, 1770. The conditions upon which 
Mr. Rosbrugh might accept the call being 
fulfilled he expressed his acceptance of the 
same April 15th, 1772. In was probably 
on account of the unsettled state of the 
ecclesiastical connections of the Settle- 
ment Church, that caused the neglect of 
completing the pastoral relations during 
the two years which transpired between 
the transfer and installation. Even when 
the matter was agitated and the call was 
accepted, the installation was deferred 
until the fall of 1772. Oct. 13th, 1772, 
however, the people renewed their request 
for Mr. Rosbrugh's installation. The Pres- 
bytery thereupon appointed Oct. 28th, at 
noon, as the time for the services. Rev. 
John Guild was to preside and preach the 
sermon. The other members of the com- 
mittee were Rev. John Hanna, Rev. Jacob 
Vanarsdalen, and Rev. Samuel Kennedy. 

Thus the Settlement Church came aeain 
regularly under the care of a pastor, Oct. 
28th, 1772. From this time till 1776, affairs 
moved along quietly and satisfactorily 
in the congregation. But, in 1776, the 
spirit of American independence roused 



4G Irish Seltlcmcnt. 

the Settlement people along with their fel- 
low countrymen. A company of soldiers 
was recruited in the Settlement, which 
marched to the seat of war under the com- 
mand of Capt. Hays. Mr. Rosbrugh ac- 
companied them as Chaplain. When at 
Trenton, Jan. 2d, 1777, he was overtaken, 
when comparatively alone, by a company 
of Hessians, and brutally murdered. Thus, 
in so tragic a manner, the church again 
became vacant. It should be recorded, to 
the lasting credit of the Church in the Set- 
tlement, that they continued Mr. Rosbrugh's 
salary while he was connected with the 
army, and after his death honorably paid 
all dues to his widow. 

During the pastorate of Mr. Rosbrugh, 
the church and grave yard lots were 
deeded over to the congregation. They 
were both upon land owned by James 
Craig, and by him deeded to the congrega- 
tion, March 17th, 1772. 

The property was made over in trust to 
John Walker, Arthur Lattimore, Robert 
Lattimore, John Ralston, John McNaIr and 
William Craig. The burying ground con- 
tained eighty-one perches, and the church 
seat, thirty-seven perches of land. 

As in the case of the parsonage farm, 
the trustees made a declaration with regard 
to the original intent in conveying the 
property to them. The declaration was 



Irish Settlement. 4 7 

made March 12th, 1772, the Import of 
which was as follows : The church was for 
the use of the Presbyterian congregation 
of Allen Township; and the burying 

o-round for the use of Its members. Cer- 

... 
tain requisites were necessary to consti- 
tute a person a member of the congrega- 
tion. He must hold to the principles of 
the Westminster Confession of Faith and 
Directory, as Interpreted by the Synod 
under whose care the congregation at the 
time was. He must have attended upon 
Divine worship In the congregation for at 
least twelve months, and contributed regu- 
larly to the support of the Gospel, in order 
to have any interest In or claim to the 
property belonging to the congregation. 
A person was no longer considered a 
member, If he departed from, the principles 
of the Westminster Confession of Faith 
and Directory ; or did not continue to 
attend in an orderly manner upon Divine 
worship. No one who changed his re- 
ligious views, separated from the Synod 
or congregation, or refused or neglected 
to contribute to the support of the church, 
could succeed to the trust, or have any 
interest In the property. If any one died, 
while in the trust, the congregation could 
choose another to succeed him. This 
choice was made by a majority of votes of 
all the adult male members of the concrre- 



48 h^ish Settlement. 

gation. In meetings called for this pur- 
pose, the pastor of the congregation, if 
present, was, at all times, to preside as 
Moderator. 

If it was not convenient for the choice 
thus to be made it might be done by a 
committee appointed by the congregation 
for that purpose. In order to prevent law- 
suits or troubles arising with regard either 
to the pieces of ground or the pews in the 
church, the decision of a majority of the 
adult male members of the concrreg^ation 
was declared to be final in all such cases. 
No person was allowed to occupy as their 
place of residence, any building or buildings 
which were then upon the premises, or 
that might be erected thereafter. Thus 
we see again the care with which the rights 
and interests of the congregation were 
guarded. 

After the death of Mr. Rosbrugh, Jan. 2d, 
1777, the congregation desired to be 
returned to the care of the First Philadel- 
phia Presbytery. They sent a supplication 
on this subject to vSynod, convened at 
Philadelphia, May 21st, 1777, which came 
up for consideration on the 23d. The 
supplication was granted as shown by the 
following minute of the Synod under that 
date: 

" By the committee of overtures, a sup- 
plication from the congregation of Allen- 



Irish Settlement. 49 

town, In the Forks of Delaware, requesting 
that they might be set off from the Presby- 
tery of New Brunswick, and put under the 
care of the First Presbytery of Philadelphia, 
to whom they formerly belonged, was 
brought in and read. The Presbytery of 
New Brunswick freely concurring, the Synod 
grant the supplicant's request, and the 
First Philadelphia Presbytery is ordered to 
take said congregation under their care." 

The congregation being vacant, supplies 
were required. April 8th, 1777, the con- 
gregation asked supplies of the First Pres- 
bytery of Philadelphia. They requested 
that Rev. Alexander Mitchell might be 
sent to them one-fourth of his time as 
stated supply. This request was granted. 

At Deep Run, June 17th, 1777, further 
supplies were asked, and especially for 
one-fourth of Mr. Mitchell's time. Mr. 
Mitchell was sent to preach every fourth 
Sabbath, and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin to 
preach one Sabbath, and Rev. James Grier 
one Sabbath, until the next meeting of 
Presbytery. 

The First Presbytery of Philadelphia, 
met again at Deep Run, April 7th, 1778, 
on account of the presence of the British 
Army in Philadelphia at that time. At 
this meeting 

" A commission from the congregation 
of Allentown, in the Forks of Delaware, 



50 Irish SettlemenL 

appeared before Presbytery and repre- 
sented that the Rev. Mr. Sproat, a member 
of this Presbytery, in consequence of an 
invitation from the congregation, had come 
into the Society, and agreeably to their 
earnest desire, expressed a wilHngness to 
supply them till the way should be clear 
for his returning to his own congregation 
in Philadelphia. The Presbytery are well 
pleased with this proposal, and recommend 
it to Mr. Sproat to supply the said congre- 
gation as long as may be convenient for 
him, and on such terms as he and they can 
agree." 

Mr. Sproat was pastor of the Second 
Church of Philadelphia, and was absent 
from the city on account of the presence of 
the British there. While in the Setdement 
he lived in the parsonage, and preached 
twenty Sabbaths, at least, for the people. 
At Neshaminy, Sept. ist, 1778, Esq. 
McNair, commissioner in behalf of the con- 
gregation, asked for supplies. In answer, 
Mr. Mitchell was sent to preach one 
Sabbath in October, and one more at dis- 
cretion. Presbytery met at Newton, Nov. 
3d, 1778, at which time the people asked 
that Mr. Isaac Keith, if licensed, might be 
permitted to supply them regularly until 
the next meeting of Presbytery. 

Presbytery, however, appointed Mr. 
Mitchell to preach the first and second 



Iidsh Settlemejif. 51 

Sabbaths In February, Mr. Irwin to preach 
one Sabbath before the next meetuior, and 
Mr. Robert Keith and Mr, Isaac Keith 
each seven Sabbaths before the next meet- 
ing. At Pittsgrove, April 9th, 1779, Rob- 
ert Keith was appointed to preach two 
Sabbaths. May 21st, 1779, Capt. Ralston, 
as commissioner, asked particularly for 
the services of Mr. Isaac Keith. Mr. 
Mitchel was appointed to preach three 
Sabbaths in July and three in August, and 
administer the Lord's Supper; Mr. Irwin 
was to preach the third Sabbath in Oct. 

At New Providence, Nov. 2d, 1779, Rev. 
Alexander Mitchell, in behalf of the con- 
gregation, asked for supplies. Mr. Irwin 
appointed to preach the third Sabbath In 
March ; Mr. Grier the fourch Sabbath in 
November, and first and second Sabbaths 
In March; and Mr. Mitchell was to preach 
six Sabbaths before the next meeting of 
Presbytery. 

During the year 1779, Rev. Joseph 
Treat, of the Presbytery of New York, 
and Rev. Wm. Graham, of the Presbytery 
of Hanover, preached one or more Sab- 
baths. 

The Presbytery of Hanover occupied 
Southern territory, and Mr. Graham seems 
to have visited the congregation in quest 
of funds for a Southern institution of learn- 
ing. Upon the church books stands the 



52 Msh Settlement. 

following record: "July 28th, 1779, ap- 
plication was made to this congregation 
from Liberty Hall College, North Caro- 
lina, for their charitable benefactions ; and 
in consequence, the congregation raised a 
collection amounting to ^^50 lOi*. 6d. for 
use of said college." We find also Mr. 
Graham's receipt for this collection as 
follows : 

"Aug. 23d, received of Allentown con- 
gregation the sum of sixty-eight pounds 
thirteen shillings and sixpence, for use of 
Liberty Hall Academy, in Virginia, by 
Wm. Graham." 

These records doubtless refer to the 
same thing. Some member of the con- 
gregation seems to have made the record 
of the collection, calling the institution a 
college in North Carolina. Mr. Graham 
seems to have received an additional con- 
tribution, and gave his receipt for the 
whole amount, properly calling the institu- 
tion an Academy in Virginia. 

At Neshamlny, April 4th, 1780, Wil- 
liam McNair, Esq., as commissioner, asked 
for supplies. Mr. Mitchell was sent to 
preach four Sabbaths in April, Mr Boyd 
one Sabbath In September, Mr. Grier third 
Sabbath In April, and first in July, and 
three Sabbaths in August. Mr. Isaac (?) 
Keith was to preach the fifth Sabbath in 
April. At Philadelphia, May 19th, 1780, 



Irish Settlement. 53 

Mr. Mitchell was appointed to preach two 
Sabbaths at Newton. Oct. 1 7th, 1 780, we 
find the following record made by Pres- 
bytery. 

" A written application from the congre- 
gation of Allen's Town was presented by 
Mr. Hugh Horner, their commissioner, 
requesting supplies from us, and also lib- 
erty to apply to some other Presbytery for 
the same purpose. Presbytery cheerfully 
grant them that liberty, and recommend to 
them to apply to the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick, as most likely to favor their 
design." 

Presbytery, at this meeting, appointed 
Mr. Mitchell to preach the fifth Sabbath 
of October, the second Sabbath of Decem- 
ber, and the second Sabbath of February, 
Mr. Irwin, the first Sabbath in January, and 
Mr. Grier the first Sabbath in April. In 
addition to these we find that, during this 
year. Rev. John De Bow, of the Presby- 
tery of Orange, preached one or more 
Sabbaths. Also Mr. Frederic Stiner, who 
does not seem to have been In connection 
with the Presbyterian Church. 

It would seem the people improved the 
permission granted them to apply to the 
Presbytery of New Brunswick for supplies, 
as we find them asking permission of 
Presbytery, convened at Neshamlny, April 
17th, 1 781, to present a call to a member 



54 Irish Settlement, 

of that Presbytery. The following record, 
under that date, is sufficiently explanatory : 
"Mr. John Ralston, a commissioner 
from Allen's Township, requests supplies 
for that congregation, and also that they 
may be permitted to prosecute a call before 
the Presbytery of New Brunswick for the 
Rev. Mr. Peppard, a member of that Pres- 
bytery." 

At a later stao^e of the meeting- 
" The congregation of Allen Town are 
permitted to prosecute the call for Mr. 
Peppard before the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick, agreeably to their request." 

At the same meeting, April 17th, 1781, 
the Presbytery appointed Mr. Mitchell to 
preach the fifth Sabbath of April, and 
fourth Sabbath of August, Mr. Boyd the 
first Sabbath of September, and Mr. Irwin 
the fourth of September. 

The call presented to Mr. Peppard was 
accepted by him, but at what time does 
not appear. He removed to the bounds 
of the concrreoration, but took no immediate 
steps for the transfer of his ecclesiasti- 
cal relations. His residence among the 
people and preaching to them without 
being installed, was in due time taken 
notice of by the First Presbytery of Phila- 
delphia, under whose care the church was. 
In the minutes of Presbytery, convened 



Irish Settlement. 55 

In Philadelphia, October 15, 1782, the fol- 
lowing record may be found: 

" Presbytery were informed that the 
Rev. Francis Peppard, a member of the 
New Brunswick Presbytery, has accepted 
a call from the congregation of Allen Town- 
ship, in the Forks of Delaware, and has, 
for some time, resided among that people 
as their minister, but as the congregation 
has not applied to this Presbytery to have 
him installed, nor has Mr. Peppard offered 
to join himself to us as a member, the 
Presbytery appoint Mr. Mitchell to write 
to Mr. Peppard and the congregation, to 
know their sentiments on that affair, and 
make report at our next." 

At a meeting of the Presbytery, May 23, 
1783, Mr. Peppard presented his dismis- 
sion from the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
wick, and was received a member of the 
First Philadelphia Presbytery. The com- 
missioners of the congregation, at the same 
meeting, applied for the installation of Mr. 
Peppard. Accordingly, Rev. Alexander 
Mitchell was appointed to preside at the 
installation, which was to take place on the 
second Tuesday of August. 

Rev. James Grier was to preach the ser- 
mon, and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin was to 
give the charge. 

We find the following report of this 



66 Irish Settlement, 

committee to Presbytery, at Philadelphia, 
October 21st, 1783: 

" The committee appointed to install 
Mr. Peppard in the congregation of Allen 
Township, in the Forks of Delaware, report 
that they attended upon and performed 
that business on the thirteenth of October. 
Their reasons for not ^ttendincr on the 
day appointed sustained." Thus the con- 
gregation, on October 13th, 1783, came 
again regularly under the care of a pastor. 



Irish Settlement 57 




CHAPTER IIL 
1784-1813. 

HAT the ecclesiastical connections 
of the congregation may be fol- 
lowed, it should be remembered 
that during Mr. Peppard's pastorate, in 
1786, the First and Second Philadelphia 
Presbyteries united, forming that of Phila- 
delphia. From this time forward the 
Church in the Settlement was under the 
care of this Presbytery. 

The pastorate of Mr. Peppard does not 
seem to have been the pleasantest in the 
history of the congregation. Several 
things conspired to make his situation 
unpleasant. Among other things, several 
families on the Monoquacy creek pur- 
chased a piece of ground and erected a 
a building called the Academy. They col- 
lected a library and started a debating 
society. This building was far superior to 
that In which the people worshiped, Mr. 
Peppard thought this was setting up altar 
against altar. He therefore opposed it. 
The ground on which the building was 
erected had no good title, and was re- 
covered by a suit at law. The land was 

4 



58 Ij'ish Settlement. 

purchased by Mr. Thomas McKeen. In 
addition to the troubles with regard to the 
Academy, difficulties arose Involving- church 
discipline. Mr. Peppard seems to have been 
very zealous In endeavoring to preserve 
the purity of the church. When derelic- 
tions in duty occurred he had the offenders 
brought before the Session. The matter 
did not always stop there, but was some- 
times carried up to the Presbytery. One 
of these cases was brought before Presby- 
tery In Philadelphia, Dec. 22d, 1791, and 
drew forth extended admonitory resolu- 
tions addressed to the Session, congrega- 
tion, and aggrieved party. 

An unhappy state of affairs continued 
until Oct. 2 1 St, 1794, at which time Mr. 
Peppard asked to be released from his 
pastoral charge on account of some diffi- 
culty with reference to the payment of 
his salary. The Presbytery cited the con- 
gregation to appear before them, in Phila- 
delphia, Nov. 17th, 1794, by commissioner, 
to show reason why Mr. Peppard should 
not be released. Accordingly Mr. Hugh 
Horner appeared In behalf of the congre- 
g-ation and protested against the dissolu- 
tion of the pastoral relation. Notwith- 
standing this, Presbytery released Mr. 
Peppard the same day. 

Thus the church, Nov. 17th, 1794, be- 
came again vacant. Immediately upon 



Ii'isJi Settlement. 59 

the release of Mr. Peppard from the pas- 
toral charge, the congregation, by their 
commissioner, asked for supplies. It does 
not appear that any were appointed at this 
meeting, which may be accounted for by 
the fact that Mr. Peppard did not cease 
his labors in the congregation until In 
May, 1795. Although the pastoral rela- 
tion had actually been dissolved Nov. 17th, 
1794, the Philadelphia Presbytery reported 
to the Synod, May 25th, 1795, that Mr. 
Peppard was in the pastorate at Allen town 
at that time. About this time, however, 
his labors ceased there, being dismissed In 
April from the Philadelphia Presbytery, to 
connect himself with the Presbytery of 
New Brunswick. In April, 1795, Presby- 
tery appointed Rev, Daniel Jones to preach 
the fifth Sabbath of November, the fourth 
Sabbath of February and the first Sabbath 
of March, During this year also, Rev. 
Jacob Lake, Rev. Michael Arthur, Rev. 
Nathaniel Irwin, and Rev. John Hanna 
preached. In April, 1796, Rev. James 
Boyd was sent to preach the first Sabbath 
in October, and Rev. John Gemmel the 
first Sabbath in August. In October 
of this year, Presbytery appointed Rev. 
Daniel (?) Jones to preach the first and 
second Sabbaths In December ; Rev. 
Uriah Dubois, the second Sabbath of 
November, and the first and second 



CO Irish Settlement. 

Sabbaths of March, and Rev. Nathaniel 
Irwin, the fifth Sabbath of October. 
In addition to these, during this year, 
Rev. Robert Russel, Rev. Asa Dun- 
ham, Rev. Francis Peppard, Rev. John 
Hanna, Rev. Peter or James Wilson, and 
Rev. Robert FIndley preached. In 1797, 
we find Rev. Asa Dunham, Rev. Uriah 
Dubois, Rev. George or Archibald Scott, 
Rev. Robert Russel, Rev. Nathan Grier, 
and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin preached. 

After the close of the American Revo- 
lution the congregation became weakened 
on account of frequent removals. This 
was occasioned by the Aliens (except 
James) espousing the royal cause in the 
struggle for liberty. Their lands were 
•consequently confiscated we believe. This 
caused difficulties In the tides of property. 
Some paid for their property the second 
time, while others removed on account of 
the difficulty. 

With the year 1797, however, began, as 
it were, a new era In the history of the 
congregation. They had previously carried 
on the affairs of the church by means of 
ofificers appointed by themselves, but who 
had no power to defend the rights or en- 
force the claims of the congregation. Diffi- 
culties arose from time to time with regard 
to the renting of the pews In the church. 
The management of the parsonage farm 



Irish Settlement. 61 

also was a source of trouble. The affairs 
of the congregation being In an unwieldy 
condition, it was deemed expedient to 
have It incorporated. Accordingly Messrs. 
John McNair, Hugh Horner, James Ral- 
ston, Joseph Horner, Thomas Horner and 
Wm. Lattimore, as trustees of the congre- 
gation, petitioned for an act of incorpora- 
tion. This petition was granted and the 
congregation was Incorporated under the 
name of the " Encrlish Presbyterian Con- 
gregation/' In Allen Township, in the 
County of Northampton, State of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

They were allowed to control property 
whose income should amount to any sum 
not exceeding two thousand pounds lawful 
money of the State of Pennsylvania. 

The following rules were adopted to 
govern the Society under their charter : 

" Fij'st. All those who have or may here- 
after subscribe these rules, and contribute 
towards the support of the Society, shall 
be considered members In common ; but 
those only who are admitted to sealing 
ordinances are members In full com- 
munion. 

" Second. The spiritual government of 
this Society shall be by a minister and at 
least three regularly ordained elders, who 



62 Ii'ish Settlemeiif, 

shall constitute a Session, and have power 
to hear and try all cases respecting their 
members, that may orderly come before 
them, so far as they are warranted by 
Scripture and our church standards, and 
decide thereon In the first Instance, with 
liberty of appeal 

" Tlm^d. That six Trustees shall be 
chosen from said Society, two of whom 
shall vacate on the first day of January 
next, and two In each successive year, and 
their places be filled up by a new election ; 
whose business shall be to settle accounts 
with the Treasurer on the same day yearly ; 
to have charge of all money belonging to 
the Society ; all pews or seats In the church 
to be taken from and given up to the 
Trustees ; and those who attempt to give 
or receive seats without their consent, shall 
be deemed inimical to the Interests of the 
Society, and meet a serious rebuke in 
Session at a future day. 

''Fourth. The Trustees may, at any time 
when the concerns of the Society require 
it, on previous notice stating the design, 
convene the members, a majority of whom 
shall be decisive in all matters that shall 
orderly come before them. 

''Fifth. All donations, bequests to the 
Society, and all possessions, effects, and 



Irish Settlement. C3 

property whatsoever, shall, and at all times 
and forever, be and remain appropriated, 
secured and made use of for the Society. 

''Sixth. Every member of the Society 
renounces herewith expressly all and every 
claim to the property of the Society, and 
promises that in case any part of said pro- 
perty shall come into his hand, put upon his 
name In trust, he will in no manner abuse 
such confidence, nor make for himself or 
his heirs claim or pretension thereto ; and 
that he will do with it agreeably to the dis- 
posal of the Society, and faithfully and 
punctually observe their orders. 

''Seventh. All those who shall emigrate 
from other Societies and bring with them a 
certificate or testimonial of their good 
morals, shall be admitted to equal privi- 
leges with others in like standing." 

The congregation being incorporated, 
its affairs were carried on in a systematic 
manner. The Trustees elected a President 
and Secretary from their own number from 
time to time, and their proceedings were 
carried on according to parliamentary 
rules. The minutes of the Trustees' meet- 
ings were carefully recorded in a book pro- 
vided for that purpose. From this book 
may be learned the whole internal affairs 
of the Society from that time. As speci- 



64 Irish Settlement, 

fied in the provisions of the charter, two 
new Trustees were elected annually to fill 
the places of those whose term of office 
expired on the first of January of each 
year. Those whose term of office thus 
expired were a committee to settle with 
the lYeasurer for the previous year. 

At the time the congregation was incor- 
porated, it was without a pastor. As we 
have intimated, in 1796 and 1797, among 
others, Rev. Robert Russel preached in the 
settlement. In 1796, Rev. Uriah Dubois 
also preached. When the question of the 
election of a pastor came up, both these 
gentlemen were candidates. 

The younger members of the congrega- 
tion were in favor of Mr. Dubois, but the 
older ones preferred Mr. Russel. When 
the question came to a vote, the younger 
members were overruled, and Mr. Russel 
was elected pastor. Having elected Mr. 
Russel, the people proceeded to settle him 
among them. The course pursued is 
pointed out in the following minute made 
by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, Dec. 2d, 
1797: 

" It appeared to Presbytery that applica- 
tion had been made by the congregation 
of Allen Township, in the State of Penn- 
sylvania, to a committee of this Presbytery 
sitting at Deep Run, in the month of 
August last, for directions as to the method 



Ii^ish Settlement. 65 

In which they might prosecute a call to Mr. 
Robert Russel, then a licentiate under the 
care of the Presbytery of New Castle, and 
that the aforesaid committee conslderlnor 
that the prevalence of a contagious fever 
In the city of Philadelphia then did, and for 
a considerable time probably would prevent 
a regular meeting of the Presbytery, cer- 
tifies these circumstances to the Presbytery 
of New Castle, that If a regular call should 
be offered through them to Mr. Russel, 
no exception would. In the judgment of 
the committee, be taken to this procedure 
by the Presbytery of Philadelphia ; which 
certificate was offered to the Presbytery of. 
New Castle and they judged It sufficient: 
to authorize them in presenting said call 
to Mr. Russel, which they accordingly did,, 
and on his acceptance of the same, dis- 
missed him to join this Presbytery as 
already stated. Whereupon Presbytery 
heard Mr. Russel deliver a popular sermon: 
and examined him on experimental religion 
and systematic divinity, as parts of trial for 
ordination, and agreed to sustain the 
same." 

The Presbytery, or a committee thereof,, 
repaired to the Setdement, April 1 7th, 1 798,. 
and there further examined Mr. Russel 
in Systematic Theology, Eccleslastlcar 
History, Church Government and Arts 

and Sciences. All these parts of trial were: 
4* 



QQ Irish Settlement, 

sustained. The next day Mr. Riissel 
preached a popular sermon, and was 
ordained and Installed. In these services, 
Dr. Ashbel Green, of Philadelphia, preached 
the ordination sermon. Dr. William Ten- 
nent, of Abington, and Rev. Nathaniel 
Irwin, of Neshaminy, delivered the charges. 
Thus, April i8th, 1798, the church again 
came under the care of a regular pastor. 
The first nieeting of the Trustees after 
the incorporation that we have any account 
of was June iith, 1798. At this meeting 
all the original Trustees, viz : Hugh 
Horner, John McNair, Thomas Horner, 
Wm. Lattlmore, James Ralston and Joseph 
Horner, were present. In addition, Adam 
Clendlnen, Wm. Kerr, James Clyde, John 
Walker, James Kerr, James Hays and 
Henry Epple. As the charter required 
two of the Trustees to vacate on the first 
of January of each year, there probably 
was an election previous to this time to 
fill the two vacancies occurring January ist, 
1 798. If this was not the case, the election 
must have taken place at this meeting, 
June nth, 1798, as we find Mr. Epple 
among the number of Trustees at this 
time, and elected President of the Board 
for the year. Mr. Wm. Lattlmore was at 
the same time elected Secretary. Mr. 
Hugh Horner had been Treasurer pre- 
vious to the incorporation and was con- 



IrisJi Settlement. 67 

tinned In that office. The President and 
Secretary were to hold their office for one 
year. Thus was the Board of Trustees 
under the charter fairly organized, and 
went forward from year to year to transact, 
the business of the corporation. 

At this meeting, June nth, 1798, the 
Trustees appointed a committee to settle 
with Messrs. Wm. Kerr, John Walker, 
Thomas Horner, and James Kerr, respect- 
ing the affairs of the parsonage farm. 
These gentlemen probably had the direct 
oversight of the parsonage farm at the 
time, and the settlement referred to was. 
doubtless with regard to the sale of the 
property. Although we have not the 
means at hand to determine the exact 
time at which it was sold, collateral evi- 
dence goes to show that it was on or about 
April loth, 1797, as Jacob Bear's bonds for 
the purchase of the same bore that date.. 
In accordance with this, Oct. 13th, Jacob 
Bear applied to the Trustees to know If 
they would receive part of the Interest 
due April loth previous, on the sale of the 
parsonage farm. The money for this- 
property was paid to the Trustees from 
time to time, and w^as Invested largely in 
United States stock, in the Northampton; 
and Easton banks. The Northampton bank- 
failed and the greater portion of the money- 
was lost. 



68 Irish Settlement. 

Althoug-h the congregation had been 
weakened by removals, it still remained 
pretty strong at the time of its incorpora- 
tion. A ledger account was opened in 
the latter part of 1798. The names of 
over fifty persons were entered as finan- 
cially, at least, connected with the congre- 
gation or society. How many of these 
were regular members of the church does 
not appear, but probably the greater part. 

As the act of incorporation required a 
settlement each year with the Treasurer, 
the Trustees, Jan. 7th, 1799, made it a 
standing rule that the two trustees who 
went out of office each year were to be 
a committee to make such settlement. 

A singular custom prevailed in the con- 
gregation at this time. It was that the 
Elders and Trustees were each to pay 
twenty-five cents every Sabbath as col- 
lection money. This custom becoming 
burdensome or inconvenient, was done 
away in 1799. 

Early in the present century the con- 
gregation became much weakened on 
account of many families removing to 
other parts of the country. The McNairs 
removed to western New York ; the Hays 
to West Branch of Susquehanna, and 
Pittsburgh ; the Ralstons and Walkers 
to Chester county ; the Wilsons to Union 
county ; the Craigs to Lehigh county ; the 



Irish Sc til em cut. 69 

Greggs, Hemphills, Sharps and Boyds 
to western Pennsylvania and Ohio. From 
this period we may perhaps properly date 
the decline of the Settlement. The church, 
however, kept on its course, sustaining the 
ordinances, and carrying forward Its secu- 
lar affairs under the guidance of Its Board 
of Trustees. 

Up to the year 1800, although the 
Trustees had elected their officers and 
transacted their business as a body, they 
had not formally organized themselves 
Into a Board. This formation of what was 
called the "Board of Trustees," was effected 
January 25th, t8oo. 

After the formation, the Board assumed 
the direct responsibility in the affairs of 
the society. The papers belonging to the 
congregation were put into their hands. 
Among these were the bonds for the 
payment of the price of the parsonage 
farm, and securities for other moneys 
belonging to the congregation held by dif- 
ferent persons, the charter of incorpora- 
tion, the deed of the parsonage farm from 
Thomas Armstrong to the congregation, 
and the deed for the same from Samuel 
Wilson to Thomas Armstrong. Thomas 
McKeen and Henry Epple were appointed 
a committee to draft rules for the govern- 
ment of the Board in their proceedings. 
They drafted a set of rules, the first of 



70 Irish Settlement, 

which defined the times of meeting, which 
were to be on Saturday after the annual 
election of Trustees, for organizing the 
Board ; and on the last Saturday of March, 
June, and September. It also prescribed 
a fine for non-attendance. The second 
defined the duties of the President. The 
third, those of the Treasurer. The fourth, 
those of the Secretary. The fifth, the 
duties of the members. The sixth fixed 
the time and manner of making out dupli- 
cates for the collection of pew rent. It may 
now be said the Board was fully organized. 
They had a constitution in the charter of the 
congregation, and had now adopted a set 
of by-laws. As they were fully organized, 
and had entered upon the executive duties 
of their office, they were prepared to take 
decisive action with regard to the disposal 
of property belonging to the congregation, 
subject to the provisions of the charter. 
One of the first and most difficult things 
they had to do was to straighten out the 
affairs pertaining to the parsonage farm. 
It had been formally sold, but no deed 
had been made to the purchaser. How to 
make a good title to the property under 
the circumstances was the question. In 
order to clear the way, January 31st, 1800, 
those who had contributed to the original 
purchase price, or the heirs of such as had 
done so, handed into the Trustees their 



Irish Seltlctucnt. 71 

written consent to the sale of the same, 
as required by a previous arrangement 
between the purchasers, already referred 
to. This paper was submitted to Thomas 
Long, Attorney at Law, In Easton, for his 
opinion as to its legality. What opinion 
was expressed does not appear. How- 
ever, It Is evident from the nature of the 
paper that time and trouble had been 
taken In order to have matters so arranged 
as to give the Trustees complete control 
of the church property. The drawing up 
of the paper was In 1797, the year the 
church was Incorporated, but did not come 
before the Trustees regularly until In Jan- 
uary, 1800. It was not ratified by law 
until February 15th, 1802, at which time It 
was recorded In the office for the record- 
ing of deeds, In Northampton county, at 
Easton. 

However, March 29th, 1800, the Trus- 
tees unanimously agreed to apply to the 
proper civil authorities to grant them 
power to make a title to the property 
which had been sold on or about April 
loth, 1797. They appointed Thomas 
McKeen to draw up a petition for that 
purpose. May 3d, Mr. McKeen reported 
that he had not drawn the petition and 
suggested that the whole matter be put 
Into the hands of an attorney. It was 
accordingly referred to John Ross, Esq., 



72 Irish Setlleinciit. 

of Easton, to be by him arranged and 
brought before the proper civil authorities. 
From some cause or other the matter was 
not adjusted by Mr. Ross, for Jan. 9th, 
1802, Hugh Wilson and James Clyde were 
appointed to confer with' Samuel Sit- 
greaves, Esq., presenting to him all the 
papers relative to the parsonage farm, and 
get his written opinion as to making a title 
for the same. If the papers were of suffi- 
cient authority, they were instructed to 
employ him to draw up the title. Even 
this arranorement did not brino^ the matter 
to an issue, for Feb. 24th, of this year, the 
congregation assembled for the purpose 
of consultinor as to the best means to 
adopt in order to make a deed for the 
property. It was agreed that Samuel 
Sitgreaves should draw up a conveyance 
transferring to the Trustees all the rights 
held by the contributors to the same. 
Thomas McKeen and Hugh Horner were 
appointed to bring the matter before him. 
This seems to have been the closing up of 
this intricate business. The transfer of 
the contributors' rights to the property was 
recorded, as we have intimated, Feb. 15th, 
1802. 

In the miuutes of a trustee meeting, held 
March 28th, 1801, we find a rather novel 
and interesting record. We insert it here 
as It embraces casual information from 



Irish Settlement. 73 

which to determine the situation of the 
old original church building. It is as fol- 
lows : 

Whereas, Great inconvenience is found to result 
to Mr. Epple from members of the congregation 
tying their horses to the fences near tlie meeting 
house, and it being the wish of the Trustees to 
remedy the same ; therefore, 

Resolved, That James Hays and Samuel Morison 
be a committee to contract with some persons to put 
up posts and rails, (for the purpose of tying horses 
to,) on the south side of the road, between the 
meeting house and creek, on the public grounds 
northeast of the meeting house, and on the vacant 
ground near the school house ; and to superintend 
the doing of the same. 

Those familiar with the locality will per- 
ceive that the incidental description of the 
church property here given, cannot be 
made to apply to the site of the present 
church building near Weaversville. It 
must be referred to the north side of the 
public road near the creek. 

At this time it was not definitely known 
where the deeds of the church and graveyard 
lots were. James Kerr was appointed to 
make inquiry through the congregation for 
them. After some delay he procured them 
and presented them to the Board of Trustees. 
In 1803, there seems to have accumulated 
in the treasury considerable money. This 
perhaps was owing to the sale of the 
parsonage farm. March 5th, of this year, 



74 Irish Settlement. 

the Trustees lent out for thre.e years to 
various persons about $2550. The money 
was to draw six per cent, interest, and be 
secured by judgment bond and approved 
security. When money was thus lent out 
by the Board they took every precaution 
to secure the same, and were very positive 
in their requirement of its payment when 
it came due. They appear to have exer- 
cised freely their power as a body cor- 
porate. Frequent records are made in 
which the civil law was called in to enforce 
the collection of moneys due the congre- 
gation. Notwithstanding the congregation 
seems to have had considerable money at 
their disposal, the arrears reported by the 
collector, on the duplicates of 1804, go to 
show that the support of the congregation 
was to some degree falling away. During 
the next three or four years various expe- 
dients were devised or proposed for the 
relief of the waning fortunes of the con- 
gregation. In 1808, extra duplicates were 
issued to bring up arrears. Notwithstand- 
ingr the fortunes of the congrrecration were 
waning, we find them still ready to do their 
share in helping along others who seemed 
to be more needy than themselves. This 
is shown from the following record, which 
explains itself: 



Ij'ish Setllancnt. 75 

Received of Allentown congregation, by the hands 
of John Walker, thirteen dollars and ten cents, as a 
donation to Harmony congregation, toward paying 
for building their meeting house. I say received ])y 
me in behalf of said congregation, Dec. 27th, 1809. 
(Signed,) GARNET A. HUNT, 

Greenwich, New Jersey. 

N. B. — Harmony congregation will pay the above 
money to Allentown congregation when they build a 
meeting house. 

Aboul: this time the graveyard was en- 
closed with a stone wall. The following 
record is made incidentally with reference 
to it: 

" It is further agreed that the Trustees 
of congregation are to collect and settle 
the accounts between the Treasurer and 
Managers of the burial ground." 

In connection with this we find the 
following : 

"June 15th. At a meeting held the 
day aforesaid, per order of the Presi- 
dent, to make settlement with the acting 
manager of the building of a stone wall 
of the English Presbyterian burial ground 
in Allen Township, present, — Dr. Edward 
Humphrey, Pi'esident, James Kerr, Trustee, 
Wm. Lattimore, James Horner, Sr., Nicho- 
las Neligh, Secretary, and, after examining 
tlie accounts, find Thomas Horner has a 
credit cominor to him of * * * * * " 

This was in 181 1. On the same day as 



76 Irish Settlement. 

the foregoing, action was taken with regard 
to the sale of the old church building, 
which stood on the north side of the 
public road. This appears from the follow- 
ing record : 

"Where and by them it was agreed that 
the old meeting house should be sold, and 
on taking consideration it was unanimously 
agreed that the said Nicholas Neligh 
should have the meeting house, and to 
take the same away and clear the premises 
between this time and 27th May, 1812, by 
paying on that day sixty dollars, Pennsyl- 
vania currency." 

During the year 181 1, we find the 
pecuniary support of the congregation 
continuing to decline. Nov. 26th of that 
year the Trustees took the following action : 

" It was unanimously agreed that dupli- 
cates be made out to the amount of 
* * * * , a sum necessary to be raised 
in order to assist In the payment of Mr. 
Russel's salary." 

This explains Itself. 

Pecuniary difficulties seemed to thicken 
around the congregation. As the con- 
tributors to the support of the church 
seemed to be falling away, the Trustees 
apparently felt the necessity of making the 
most of the Invested property belonging 
to the church. They sought additional 
security from those who held the money In 



Ii^ish Settlement, 77 

order to further secure the interests of the 
church. In this they were met by opposi- 
tion as the following record shows : 

" The Trustees then took into considera- 
tion the propriety of demanding bond and 
security from the present money holders, 
and havinor called on Mr. '^' * for his 
bond and security, he refused in a peremp- 
tory manner, and said he would not have 
anything more to do with the congregation. 
Whereupon it was unanimously agreed 
that his name be erased from the list of 
supporters." 

Notwithstanding the prospects of the con- 
gregation were not of the brightest charac- 
ter, they felt they must go forward in the 
work of the Lord. The old church build- 
ing had been sold and was to be removed 
in the early part of 1812. This year, there- 
fore, they must take definite action with 
reo^ard to a new church. To this work 
they accordingly addressed themselves. 



Irish Settlement, 



CHAPTER IV. 
1813-1825. 




N 1 813, the present church bullduig 
near Weaversvllle, was built, or 
at least commenced. As we have 
stated, the old church had been sold. 
Whether the new one should be built on 
the same ground or not, became a matter 
of consultation. Out of this consultation 
grew the record of how and why the 
church was removed from the old lot, and 
placed where it now stands. The follow- 
ing is thereco.d — it bears date of Jan. iith, 

1813: 

'•The Trustees met on the ground 
formerly occupied as a meeting house lot, 
the corners of which not being easily dis- 
covered, Mr. Neligh agreed to give the 
same quantity of ground anywhere the 
Trustees should point out. Whereupon a 
lot of the same dimensions was surveyed, 
which not joining the great road imme- 
diately, Mr. Neligh promised to enter into 
an agreement never to put any fence 
whatever between said lot and great road." 

We find, therefore, that it is over sixty 
years since the congregation commenced 



Irish Settlement. 79 

to worship in the present church building 
near Weaversville. 

Although the question of changing the 
site of the church was considered in the 
meeting held Jan. iith, 1813, we find it 
was not settled at that time. The matter 
came up again in a meeting held in March. 
We insert the record of that meeting's 
proceedings, as it makes the whole matter 
clear and satisfactory. 

''Academy, March \^th, 1813. 

'' At a meeting of the English Presbyterian Church, 
of Allen Township, at the Academy, on Monday, the 
15th day of March, 1813, convened agreeably to 
public notice for the purpose of ascertaining the will 
of said congregation, whether a meeting house was 
necessary to be built for the use of said congregation, 
and where said meeting house should be erected, 
Rev. Robert Russel was unanimously appointed 
Chairman, and John Boyd, Secretary. 

" A motion was made and seconded, that with a 
view to unite the two sections of the congregation, a 
house should be erected on a lot of James Dunn's, 
joining the lands of Adam Clendinen, and lost, only 
two or three rising in its favor. A motion was made 
and seconded, that the Academy should be fitted up 
for a house of worship, and a new house built at or 
near where the old meeting house formerly stood, 
jointly, by the congregation, which was negatived. 
Another motion was made and seconded, that the 
Academy should be fitted up for a house of worship, and 
a new house built on or near the old spot, the former 
by that part of the congregation on or near the Mono- 
quacy. (Creek.) and the latter by that pari of the con- 
gregation adjacent to the old meeting house, so that 
each side respectively completes its own meeting 



80 Irish Settlement. 

house ; but when finished that both houses ?5haU belong 
to the congregation in common ; that is to say, the 
people on the east side of the congregation to have 
an equal right in the house which shall be built on 
the west side with the said western people them- 
selves ; and the people on the west side to have an 
equal right in the house built on the east side with 
the people on the east side themselves ; so that it is 
fairly understood that both houses shall be owned by 
the congregation in common in as full and ample a 
manner as if there was only one house built at the 
joint expense of the whole congregation. Carried 
by a large majority in the affirmative. 

" Another motion was then made and seconded, 
that the Trustees of the congregation be empowered to 
exchange the old meeting house lot, for some other 
piece of ground more convenient for the site of a 
church, if the said Trustees should see proper so to 
do. Leave unanimously given to exchange." 

This record sufficiently explains itself. 
Those who are acquainted with the situa- 
tions of the two houses of worship will 
readily perceive the cause of the disagree- 
ment with reference to a house of worship 
in common. To those who may not be 
acquainted with the situations of the two 
houses, a word of explanation here may 
not be inappropriate. The building called 
the Academy stands near the Monoquacy 
Creek, perhaps a mile south of the village 
of Bath. This places it in the eastern 
portion of the congregation. The old 
church stood near where the present one 
stands, making it perhaps three miles west 
of the Academy, and within half a mile of 



Irish Settlement. 81 

the village of Weaversville. This placed 
the church building, proper in the western 
half of the congregation. 

We venture an explanation (without 
positive knowledge on the point,) of the 
disagreement tnanifested in the record of 
the church meeting above oriven, and also 
the cause of the final agreement in regard 
to the matter. This final agreement would 
seem at first sight to throw the burden of 
building a new church upon the western 
half of the congregation. 

It will be remembered, however, a num- 
ber of families on the Monoquacy Creek 
combined and independently erected the 
then substantial stone building called the 
Academy. This was large enough, and 
sufficiently well adapted, to accommodate 
the congregation as a house of worship. 
The persons who owned the Academy, 
were doubtless members of the congrega- 
tion. Having the interest of the congre- 
gation at heart, we may suppose they 
munificently offered to donate the Academy 
building to the congregation for a house of 
worship, since the old log church had been 
sold and had been, or was about to be, 
torn down. This would save the expense 
of a new house of worship. This, however, 
would give the eastern half of the congrega- 
tion the ascendancy, besides confining the 
preaching exclusively to that neighborhood. 



82 Irish Settle7ncnf. 

This would necessitate the western half of 
the congregation to always go three miles, 
more or less, to church. It is easy to see 
then how a difficulty would arise to prevent 
the acceptance of the Academy building, 
exclusively, by the congregation, as a house 
of worship. On the other hand, since the 
eastern half of the congregation offered to 
gratuitously provide a house of worship for 
the whole congregation, they could not be 
expected to assist in building a house of 
w^orship in the western half of the congre- 
gation, which would necessitate them 
always to go three miles, more or less, to 
church. A compromise therefore would 
naturally be expected. This seems to 
have been effected. The eastern side of 
the congregation seems to have donated 
the Academy building to the whole con- 
gregation, and beside, fitt'^d it up for a 
house of worship. The western half of the 
people seem to have taken the old church 
lot, or its equivalent, and erected a church 
building, also for the whole congregation. 
This put both sides upon an equal footing 
as regarded the furnishing of houses of 
worship. There now being two churches 
belonging to the congregation, they made 
a positive agreement that each half of the 
congregation should have equal rights in 
the building furnished by the other half. 
Such, we conjecture, were substantially 



h'isk Settlement. 83 

the circumstances which orlcrlnated the two 
houses of worship In the congregation, and 
the alternation in the services held In the 
two houses, which has existed for so many 
years. 

As to exchanelnST the old church lot for 
a more desirable one, we have the follow- 



inp- reco 



'g 



rd 



** Session Room, Mai-ch i()th, 1813. 
^* At a meeting of the Trustees of the congregation 
at their room, for the purpose of exchanging the old 
meeting house lot for gromid which would be more 
suitable for building a meeting house (on), agreeably 
to a vote of the congregation, it was unanimously- 
agreed that the old lot should be exchanged for one 
on the west side of Mr. Neligh's run, and adjoining 
the old burying ground.'"' 

The exchange was made and the new 
lot deeded over by Mr. Neligh to the con- 
gregation, March 31st, 181 3. It was part 
of a tract of land sold to Mr. Henry Epple, 
by William Craig. At Mr. Epple's death 
he left but one daughter, who became the 
heiress to the property. This daughter 
was the wife of Mr. Neligh, by whom the 
deed of the lot was made. The transfer 
was in the name of John Wilson, James 
Horner, Sr., John Boyd, John Clyde, Jr., 
James Kerr and Edward Humphrey, 
Trustees of the congregation. Such were 
the circumstances attendinor the selection 
of the site where the church building, near 



84 Irish Settlement. 

Weaversvllle, now stands. Tlie old site, 
as we have intimated, was southeast of the 
present one and nordi of the pubHc road. 
About this time there seems to have been 
considerable irregularity and commotion in 
the management of the secular affairs of 
the congregation. For some time previous 
to 1 813, the Trustees do not seem to have 
been sufficiently strict in the observance of 
the rules adopted for their guidance in 
1800. This matter had been noticed by 
some members of the Board. A motion 
was therefore made to remedy the neglect, 
as appears from the following record : 

'' Session Room^ March 10th, 181 3. 
"Trustees met agreeably to appointmet, when the 
by-laws made on the 31st of January, iSoo, for the 
government of the secular affairs of the church and 
Trustees being read, a motion was made and seconded 
that they should be adopted by the subscribers, 
whereupon they were unanimously agreed to. 
Witness our hands, the day and year above written. 
[Signed,] 

" JAMES HORNER, JOHN CLYDE, 
ED. HUMPHREY, JOHN BOYD." 

One provision of these rules was, that 
the two retiring Trustees each year should 
be a committee to settle with the Treasurer. 
This matter of settling with the Treasurer 
seems to have been neglected, but after 
the re-adoption of the rules, their provisions 
in this regard were observed as formerly. 



Irish Settlement, 85 

With the year 1813, Edward Humphrey 
and James Horner, Sr., went out of office. 
Accordingly we find It recorded, In 18 14, 
that 

"Edward Humphrey and James Horner, 
Sr., were appointed to setde with the 
Treasurer, and they are authorized to call 
on the Secretary for the necessary accounts 
to enable them to complete said setde- 
ment." 

These Irregularities adjusted In 18 14, 
we find commotions attending the election 
of Trustees at the opening of the year 
181 5. January 2d, of this year, James 
Kennedy and Nathan Kerr were elected 
to the office of Trustee. The members of 
the Board were, after this election, as 
follows : 

John Boyd, James Clendlnen, James 
Kennedy, John Clyde, James Horner, 
Nathan Kerr. This election of Trustees, 
however, was subsequently overturned, 
and the composition of the Board materially 
changed. We find the following record 
bearing upon the subject: 

*' At a meeUng of the English Presby- 
terian Church, of Allen Township, on Satur- 
day, the 4th March, 181 5, (public notice 
having been duly given,) in order to choose 
two new Trustees In the room of Nathan 
Kerr and James Kennedy, who were 
declared Illegally elected ; and by a meet- 



S6 Irish Setflemenf. 

ine of the conereoatlon called for that 
purpose, three other Trustees, two of 
whom reslgrned, and the third was con- 
celved by the same meeting not duly 
elected ; James Clyde and John Wilson 
were.unanhnously appointed judges of said 
election ; when, upon counting the votes at 
the close of the poll, It appeared that James 
Kerr, Sr., was duly elected In the room of 
James Clendlnen, resigned, Hugh Wilson 
in the room of John Clyde, resigned, James 
J. Horner, re-elected. James Kennedy 
and Robert Horner for three years from 
the first Monday In January last." 

By this action,, therefore, the membership 
of the Board became as follows : 

John Boyd, James Kerr, James Kennedy^ 
Hugh Wilson, James J. Horner, Robert 
Horner. From the year 1815 forward, for 
several years, the prospects of the congre- 
gation seem to have brightened somewhat. 
We find no evidence that the congregation 
was pecuniarily straitened, although they 
had been engaged In constructing a new 
house of worship, as well as fitting up the 
Academy for Divine services. The number 
of supporters Increased from ^'^ In 1812, 
to 56 In 1818. The brightening up of 
affairs may perhaps be attributed In part 
to the impetus which the new church build- 
ing gave to the affairs of the congregation. 

It will be remembered the new church 



IrisJi Settlement. 87 

building was erected upon die newly ac- 
quired lot. The church lot was open to 
the public road. This seemed to the con- 
gregation not desirable, and they therefore, 
in May, 1819, took steps to have it enclosed. 
Special directions were given as to how it 
was to be done. The fence on the north 
and west sides was to be post and rail, and 
on the south and east sides, board. 

There was to be a gate on the south side 
havings an entrance of five feet in the clear. 

o 

We insert these particulars that those 
who may be familiar with the locality may 
be enabled to draw a picture of the church 
and surroundings, as they appeared fifty 
years ago. 

In 1S23, we have revealed incidentally 
some of the inner workings of the congre- 
gation by the death of the Treasurer. This 
officer was the custodian of the books and 
valuable papers of the corporation. For 
these he gave his receipt, at length, when 
entering upon the duties of his office. 
When he left it he took a receipt for the 
same from his successor. James H. 
Horner was elected Treasurer in 181 5. 

April I St, 181 6, he gave his receipt for 
the books and papers of the congregation. 
He was their custodian until 1823. Oct. 
1 1 th, of this year, he resigned, and John 
Wilson was elected in his stead. The 
Trustees appointed Abram Wilson and 



88 Irish Sctilemenf, 

James J. Horner to settle with the late 
Treasurer, and deliver the books and 
papers of the congregation to the newly 
elected Treasurer. Between Oct. iith^ 
when this appointment was made, and 
Nov. 8th, James H. Horner died. At the 
time of his death, the books and papers of 
the congregation had not been turned 
over to the committee, as will appear by 
the receipt we insert below. As stated, 
James H. Horner had given his receipt for 
the books and papers, April ist, 1816. In 
the minute book, where the list of books 
and papers Is given, just underneath James 
H. Horner's name, we find this receipt: 

'' Received, November 8th, 1823, of Robert Hor- 
ner, administrator of the estate of James H. Horner, 
the above books and papers, or others in lieu thereof., 
[Signed,] " ABRAM WILSON, 

HUGH HORNER, 
JAMES J. HORNER." 

In connection with this we find John 
Wilson's receipt for the papers and books. 
We insert the list of these here In order to 
preserve a record of them for future 
reference In case It should ever be found 
necessary to recall them. The receipt 
and list is as follows : 

" Received, November , 1823, of the Trustees 
of the English Presbyterian congregation of Allen 
Township, the following books, bonds, deeds, &c ; 



IrisJi Sctilancnt. 89 

'' I. A book of accounts of the congregation. 

'' 2. One bond against * * * for ^ * * with 
interest since May ist, 1823. 

" 3. One bond against * * * for $ * * with 
interest since May 27th, 1823. 

"4. One other bond against * * for ;^ * * 
with interest since 27th November, 1822. 

"5. One bond against * * for $ * * with 
interest since 27th May, 1823. 

'' 6. One bond against * * for ^ * * with 
interest since 27th May, 1823. 

" 7. One note against * * for ^ * *j-. * ^., dated 
Jan. 7th, 1814. 

'•'8. A deed of conveyance from Nicholas Neligh,. 
to Trustees of English Presbyterian congregation of 
Allen Township, for 128 perches of land in said Town- 
ship. 

*' 9. A deed from James Craig to John Walker and 
others. 

"10. An obligation and declaration of John Walker 
and others. 

•' II. The act of incorporation. 

'' Received the above books and papers, which I 
promise to keep in safety, and deliver to the Trustees 
of said congregation when called for, and receive all 
moneys now due or may hereafter become due on 
said obligations, and pay the same to the order of the 
Board of Trustees. 

[Signed] ^' JOHN WILSON." 

This list of bonds, &c., the figures of 
which we have omitted, gives a consoK- 
dated statement of the assets of the con- 
gregation at the time. 

Mr. Russel's receipt for salary, given 
Nov. 1 2th, of this year, is in keeping with 
the foregoing. It is as follows : 
5* 



90 Irish Settlement. 

*' Received of James H. Horner, late Treasurer, at 
sundry times subsequent to the 22d day of January, 
1 82 3, the sum of * * dollars, and of James J. 
Horner and Hugh Horner, Trustees, the sum of 
-^= * dollars, making together the sum of * * * 
dollars, in payment of salary due from the congrega- 
tion, Nov. 1 2th, 1823. 

[Signed] ^'R. RUSSEL." 

As we have intimated, the prospects of the 
congregation, seemed to be brighter for a 
number of years after the erection of the 
new church building near Weaversville. 
The number of supporters seemed to keep 
up remarkably well, considering the drain 
upon the community caused by removals 
and deaths. It is apparent, however, that 
formerly the names of contributors repre- 
sented whole families, whilst latterly they 
represented more frequently only indi- 
viduals. 

In 1825, the depletion of the conmiunity 
began again to make itself felt. Although 
for. several years previous to this, the 
number of the supporters appears in no 
appreciable manner to have been dimin- 
ished, the actual support, financially con- 
sidered, was manifestly waning. March 
2 6di, of this year, several members of the 
congregation met with the Trustees to 
consult in regard to the affairs of the church. 
Considerable amounts had been returned, 
for several years previous, on the duplicates 
as arrears. The salary of the pastor was 



Irish Settlejueiit. 91 

with difficulty made up. A committee was 
appointed to confer with the pastor and 
represent to him that the conorregation was 
unable to make up the salary they had 
promised to pay him, and obtain an abate- 
ment on his part, if possible. An agree- 
ment was effected whereby Mr. Russel 
relinquished a part of his salary. In this 
agreement it was intimated that it was- 
possible the circumstances of the congrega- 
tion might become still more straitened, 
and against this precautions were taken. 

Although it was with difficulty they did 
so, we find the conofreoradon fulfilllne all 
their pecuniary obligations to Mr. Russel 
up to the end of the year 1825. 

Such was the state of affairs in the con- 
gregadon, therefore, at the opening of the 
year 1826. 



92 Irish Settlements 




CHAPTER V. 
1826-1835. 

N 1 82 1, the church came under the 
care of the Presbytery of Newton. 
With the year 1826, there would 
seem to commence a new era in the history 
of the congregation. There is nothing of 
special importance to record concerning this 
date, but here seems to be a dividing line 
between the early and latter church. The old 
time-worn books of record were now full and 
laid aside. Within the blackened leather 
covers of those old books, and a small 
bundle of papers equally antiquated, lay 
the data from which, to a large degree, the 
early history of the congregation was to be 
deduced. Yet who, from looking at these 
old records, tangled and incongruous,, 
which had been made from time to time 
during a period of seventy-five or eighty 
years, would suppose that there was in 
them material for a connected narrative — 
something pertaining to nearly every year 
of that long period? Who would suppose 
that from those old smoky and blackened 
pages, whereon were records in juxtaposi- 
tion, telling of events which were separated 



Irish Settlement. 93 

by perhaps twenty, thirty or forty years of 
time, an intelligible idea of the church's 
history could be deduced? But time and 
patience in deciphering those almost illegi- 
ble lines, which had been placed there by 
various and unsteady hands at different 
times during a period of three-quarters of 
a century previous, the facts of the fore- 
going pages, for the most part, have been 
snatched, as it w^ere, from oblivion. These 
facts, it is hoped, have here been preserved 
to the descendants of those early settlers, 
and to the church which has been one 
of the way-marks in the progress of Pres- 
byterianism in America. 

But having gleaned from these musty 
pages, as we hope, the greater part of their 
interesting matter, we lay them aside, as 
did the church in 1826, and look to the 
subsequent records. 

We have endeavored so far to give such 
statistics as might enable the reader to 
observe the fluctuations in the fortunes of 
the congregation ; their periods of bright- 
ening prospects and those of shadow and 
decline. We are now called upon to 
record a period of shadow. It may have 
been noticed that although there were 
periods of brightening, the general ten- 
dency was toward decline. This was 
doubtless owing to the drain which other 
parts of the country were constantly making 



94 Irish Selllcment. 

upon the supporters and resources of the 
congregation. Many were removing to 
other parts of the country, and those who 
took their places were not naturally affiHated 
with the people who supported this church. 
In addition to this cause of decline, another 
misfortune about this time overtook the 
congregation. It was the unfortunate 
investment of its funds. We have inserted 
a schedule of the assets of the congrega- 
tion in a previous chapter. Whilst there 
we left the amounts, in detail, blank, it may 
not be improper here to state, that that 
schedule showed the aeereeate assets of 

oo o 

the congregation to be, exclusive of church 
and grave yard properties in use, about 
^3,400. It seems a considerable portion of 
this money became available in 1827. We 
have before spoken of this property, 
belonging to the congregation, and of its 
disposal, and how a. large portion of it was 
lost by the failure of the Northampton 
Bank. We have, in 1827, the records of 
how this investment came to be made. 
We have spoken of Mr. John Wilson 
becoming Treasurer in 1823. We find he 
was succeeded in that office by Mr. Robert 
Horner, in 1826. The funds of the con- 
gregation were therefore in the hands of 
Mr. Robert Horner in 1827. We find that 
Jan. iith, 1826, he receipted for the books, 
papers and funds enumerated in the 



Irish Settlement. 95 

schedule just referred to. Accordingly, 
under date of Sept. 3d, 1827, we find him 
directed to purchase stock in the North- 
ampton Bank. The record is as follows, 
and will explain itself: 

•' A motion was made and carried that 
the money belonging to the congregation, 
In the hands of Robert Horner, be put to 
the use of purchasing stock in the North- 
ampton Bank, in case stock can be had at 
par. 

Thus it would appear that there was an 
amount of the capital of the congregation 
or corporation, now in the treasury. This 
money was expended for the purpose 
indicated, as shown by the certificates of 
stock of the Northampton Bank which may 
be seen among the papers of the congre- 
gation. As we have before said, the 
money was lost by the failure of the Bank 
at the time so many banks failed under the 
old National Banking system. Although 
this calamity did not fall immediately upon 
the church, it was the more severe when it 
did come, from the fact that at the very 
time they were unconsciously making a 
bad investment, other causes were weaken- 
ing them. By an agreement made April 
6th, 1825, to which we have referred, the 
pastor relinquished a portion of his salary. 
From that day forward he receipted for his 
salary in full only upon the ground of the 



96 Irish Settlement. 

agreement Into which he had entered. In 
his receipts he referred from time to 
time to the aorreement. The conereeation 
were enabled to come up to their engage- 
ments until May 27th, 1827. 

August 5th, 1827, Mr. Russel gave a 
receipt in full up to that date. But the 
people now became conscious that they 
would not be able to meet their engao^e- 
ments, even though the pastor had relin- 
quished part of his salary. They could 
not consistently ask him to make any 
further abatement, and the next best thing, 
they thought, would be to retain him but 
for a portion of his time. Accordingly a 
meeting was called in October of this year, 
to consult with reference to this matter. 
We have the following record in the 
minutes of this meeting : 

" A motion was made that a committee 
be appointed to wait on the Rev. Russel, 
and to inform him that the conereoation 
was willing to give him * * dollars for 
one-half of his time from the 27th of 
November." 

But this was not lonof to affect the aored 
servant of God. The congregation, though 
tliey felt their troubles increasing, were 
soon to be called on to endure still greater 
trials. He who had ministered to them in 
spiritual things for nearly thirty years, was 
soon to be taken from them. He who had 



Irish Set flan en f. 9T 

grown gray and venerable In their service 
was soon to be called home to his Father's 
house In heaven. The last official act 
performed by him, of which we have any 
record, is the followinor : 

'* Received, December nth, 1827, of Robert 
Horner, Treasurer, the sum of ***** in 
part of my salary due on the 27th November last. 
fSigned,] " R. RUSSEL." 

Five days after this, on Dec. i6th, 1827, 
he bid adieu to the cares of earth. Having 
fought the good fight of faith, and having 
finished his course, he ascended to receive 
his crown of glory. A plain marble stone 
In the church yard, with the following In- 
scriptions, marks the last resting place of 
the revered and orood man : 

o 

'' Sacred to the memory of Rev. Robert Russel, 
A. M., late pastor of the English Presbyterian Con- 
gregation of Allen Township, who departed this life 
December i6th, 1827, in the seventieth year of his 
age, and thirtieth of his ministry. He was a man 
full of the Holy Ghost. How well he taught them 
many a one will feel unto their dying day, and when 
they lie on the grave's brink unfearing and composed, 
their speechless souls will bless the holy man whose 
voice exhorted, and whose footsteps led unto the path 
of life." 

The final act in which Mr. Russel's name 
appears in connection with the church, Is 
in the following receipt given by his son, 
who was his administrator ; 



98 Irish Settleimiit. 

''Received, January 3d, 1828, of Robert Horner, 
Treasurer, the sum * * * • * * \^ being the 
amount in full of salary due from English Presby- 
terian Congregation of Allen Township, to my father 
until the day of his death. 

[Signed,] ''ROBERT RUSSEL, 

''Administrator.'" 

Thus closed the extended ministry of 
this servant of God. He had entered 
upon his ministry In the Settlement, April 
1 8th, 1 798. It was his first pastoral charge. 
In It he remained for nearly thirty years, 
and was removed therefrom only by the 
hand of death. 

Thus the conorreeatlon, December i6th, 
1827, became vacant. 

Under the circumstances It was neces- 
sary to make some provisions for supplying 
the pulpit. Accordingly, a meeting was 
called, Jan. 7th, 1828, to consider the matter. 
We Insert a part of the minutes of that 
meeting, as It explains Itself and gives us 
the information desired : 

" At a meeting of the English Presby- 
terian Congregation of Allen Township, in 
the church, the 7th of January, A. D., 1828, 
for the purpose of selecting a pastor to fill 
the vacancy occasioned by the death of the 
Rev. Robert Russel, '^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 
a motion was made and seconded that the 
congregation proceed to take the question 
whether they should employ the Rev. 



Irish Settlement. 99 

Alexander Heberton to supply the vacancy 
occasioned by the death of the Rev. Russel, 
until the 27th of November next." 

The motion was carried, and Mr. He- 
berton accepted the terms offered by the 
congregation, and commenced his labors 
among them. He continued to preach 
until the next fall, at which time, Oct. 6th, 
the congregation again assembled to invite 
him to continue as stated supply for one 
year after Nov. 27th. The invitation was 
accepted and he continued his labors. 
This year we again find the people un- 
wittingly involving themselves in financial 
difficulties. Again money had accumulated 
in the hands of the Treasurer. Again we 
find him directed to invest the same in 
stocks which proved valueless. A minute 
of a meeting of the Trustees held Oct. 6th, 
is as follows : 

" At a meeting of the Trustees ; present, 
* * * * "^ it was resolved that the 
moneys now In the hands of Robert 
Horner, belonging to the congregation, be 
laid out in the purchase of United States 
Bank stock." 

The receipts for the purchase made by 
this order may still be found among the 
papers of the congregation. Having 
begun the purchase of United States stock, 
we find the people continuing In It. On 



100 Irish Settlement. 

Jan. 2 2d, 1829, we find the Trustees again 
directing the purchase of this kind of stock. 
It would seem the prospects of the con- 
gregation brightened up for a time under 
the ministry of Mr. Heberton. The num- 
ber of contributors, in 1828, was seventy- 
seven against forty-eight in 1827. This 
number had not materially decreased in 
the fall of 1829. The prospect of advance- 
ment under Mr. Heberton's ministry 
seems to have induced the people to make 
efforts to have him continue with them. 
Accordingly, on Sept. 25th, 1829, they 
again appointed a committee to confer 
with Mr. Heberton with reference to his 
continuing still anodier year as supply 
after Nov. 27th. An agreement was 
effected and his labors were continued. 

There seems to have been a desire on 
the part of the congregation, at this time, 
to purchase the property on which Mr. 
Russel was livino- at the time of his death. 
What the reasons were for this, do not 
appear. It may have been to thus 
securely invest the money of the con- 
gregation. But this would not seem 
probable, for their funds had been similarly 
invested previously, and the caring for the 
property was attended with so many diffi- 
culties and inconveniences that it was sold 
so as to make the 'funds more serviceable. 
Whatever may have been the reason, the 



Irish Settlement. 101 

fact Is attested by the following record In 
the minutes of the meeting held Sept. 7th, 
which Is as follows : 

" On motion, It was resolved, that a com- 
mittee of four be appointed, * * * =••' 
who, in conjunction with the Trustees of 
the church, are to view the premises of the 
late Rev. Robert Russel, with a view of 
purchasing the same." 

What was the result of this appointment, 
does not appear. 

We call attention to these financial 
transactions of the church, that it may be 
known that the cause of decline have been 
such as could not be foreseen, and that 
those faithful men who have administered 
the trust committed to them by our 
fathers, have not been neelleent in the 
performance of their duty. We have 
inserted them that all may see through 
what vicissitudes the heritage of our 
fathers has passed, what Its ultimate fate 
has been, and what effect that fate has 
produced upon the w^elfare of the church 
and community. 

The congregation met Sept. 4th, 1830, 
and appointed a committee to solicit Mr. 
Heberton to remain still a third year from 
the 27th of November ensuing. The com- 
mittee reported his acceptance, and his 
labors continued. This arrangement, how- 



102 Irish Settlement, 

ever, was not to continue for any great 
length of time. 

Mr. Heberton received, in the early 
part of 1 83 1, a call to the Presbyterian 
Church of the present city of Allentown. 
He accepted the call and was released by 
the congregation in the Settlement. This 
appears from the following record in the 
minutes of a meeting held Feb. 21st, 1831, 
it is as follows : 

"Whereas, The Rev. Alexander Heber- 
ton, having received an invitation to the 
pastoral charge of the First English Pres- 
byterian Church, in the borough of Allen- 
town, he considering it to be an incumbent 
duty to accept of the same; we, the con- 
gregation, agreeably to his request, resolve 
to release him from his present engage- 
ment with us, after the first of April next." 

Having thus been released from his 
engagement, his connection with the con- 
gregation soon ceased, and his name dis- 
appears from its records. 

Before we proceed to the events which 
transpired under the ministry of Mr. 
Heberton's successor, it may not be in- 
appropriate here to refer to a matter which 
seems rather strange in the history of the 
concrreCTation. » From the commencement 
of the records of the church, by its proper 
officers, about 1749-50, to about 1827-8, a 



Irish Settlement. 103 

period of nearly eighty years, In common 
with the great mass of our churches, dur- 
ing their early history, there was no record 
kept of Sessional proceedings. If this 
record was ever kept, it seems to have 
been long since lost, as no traces of it ap- 
pear in the congregation at the present 
day. Who and when the many persons 
whose names appear upon these secular 
records, became communing members of 
the church, lies buried in impenetrable 
darkness. We are therefore unable to 
ascertain the true numerical power of the 
congregation at any period during this 
time. It is true we have endeavored to 
present this in some approximate degree 
by giving the number of names attached 
to the collectors' duplicates from year to 
year. But this does not give the number of 
communicants, as some at least who were 
pecuniary supporters of the church are 
known not to have been communicants. 

To what extent this prevailed we are 
unable to decide. This was more espe- 
cially the case after the congregation be- 
came an incorporated body. Had this 
record been kept it would doubtless have 
unfolded a great volume of interesting 
matter pertaining to this old congregation, 
but which is now irretrievably lost. 

This omission, however, was remedied 
by Mr. Heberton, when he became stated 



104 IrisJi Settlement, 

supply to the congregation. The interest- 
ing items found in this book, as now used 
by the Session of the church, makes us 
feel more keenly the loss occasioned by 
the omission of this Sessional record pre- 
vious to 1827. 

With this advance, therefore, on the part 
of Mr. Heberton, his successor entered 
upon the duties of supplying the congrega- 
tion. Mr. Heberton havino- finished his 

o 

labors with the people, a meeting was 
called to take measures to have the pulpit 
supplied until the next meeting of Presby- 
tery. This meeting was held May 9th, 
1 83 1. A motion was made in order to 
get the sense of the congregation as to 
obtaining the services of Rev. Mr. Mc- 
Jimsey as stated supply until the meeting 
of Presbytery. The motion was carried, 
and Mr. John Wilson and Mr. James 
Kennedy were appointed a committee to 
confer with Mr. Mcjimsey to see if he 
would a^ree to the terms of the conorre- 
gation. Mr. Mcjimsey accepted the terms 
offered and commenced his labors. He 
continued his work during the early part 
of the summer of 1831, and his services 
being acceptable, a meeting of the congre- 
gation was held Aug. 27th, of this year, to 
consider the propriety of having Mn 
Mcjimsey continue as stated supply dur- 
ing the year. A motion was made 



Irish Settlemeiit. 105 

to this effect and carried. Mr. McJImsey 
accepted and continued his labors. 
September ist, 1832, the people again 
invited Mr. Mcjimsey to remain with them 
another year. He accepted the invitation 
and continued to labor among- them. He, 
however, did not continue with the people 
through the year. Although we have no 
direct statement of the fact, it is apparent 
that he left the congregation on or before 
the ist of April, 1833. The following 
receipt Is the last record we have of him 
in connection with the Settlement Church : 

''$*** Received, March 30th, ^^2>?i^ of 
Robert Horner, Treasurer, * >i« * * * 
dollars seventy-five cents in full of salary until the 
first April. 

[Signed,] *'Wm. Mcjimsey." 

Here closes the record of Mr. Mcjimsey's 
labors among this people. Little appears 
concerning him except that he was a mem- 
ber of the Presbytery of Albany, New 
York, when he came to the congregation ; 
and It does not appear that he ever 
changed his ecclesiastical connections to 
that under which the Church In the Settle- 
ment was, during his ministry there. It 
appears that after Mr. Mcjimsey's depart- 
ure, the Rev. Brogan Hoff, as agent for 
the S. S. Union, visited the congregation. 
This was in May of this year. The con- 
6 



106 Irish Settlement. 

gregatlon having heard him, prepared to 
give him a call. The call was accepted 
and he was Installed pastor, but at what 
precise time does not appear. 

It would seem he did not enter Imme- 
diately upon the pastoral duties of the 
congregation, for during this year we find, 
as supplies, the names of Mr. Vandlveer, 
Mr. John Gray, Mr. Love, Mr. Talmage, 
Mr. Wolf and Mr. Comfort. 

The congregation now began to devise 
means to Increase the minister's salary. 
For this purpose they met Nov. 2 2d, 1833, 
and decided that to this end the pews 
should be rented out. The actual renting of 
these took place Dec. 4lh. In the selection 
of pews, those who had contributed to the 
building of the church had the preference. 

In 1834, In addition to the preaching of 

Mr. Hoff, we have the single name of 

Galoway as supply one Sabbath. Early 
in the year 1835, ^^^ pastoral relation 
between Mr. Hoff and the congregation 
was dissolved. This appears from the 
minutes of a meeting held March 4th. 
The record Is as follows : 

" The object of the meeting being stated, 
viz : that the Rev. Mr. Hoff requested that 
the connection between him and this con- 
gregation be dissolved ; on motion, re- 
solved, this congregation agrees that this 
request be granted." 



Irish Settlement, 107 

Thus ended the pastoral relation between 
Mr. Hoff and the conorreo:ation. 

The following names appear as supplies 
during the remainder of 1835: Mr. McCul- 
lough, Mr. Berg, Mr, Helfenstein, Mr. 
Love, Mr. McCook, Mr. Adam, Mr. Car- 
penter, Mr. Sloan, Dr. Junkin, Mr. Vandr- 
veer and Mr. Hawthorn. 

This brings us down to the pastorate of 
Rev. Leslie Irwino 



108 Irish Settlement. 




CHAPTER VI. 

1836-1869. 

HE congregation convened October 
3d, 1835, and appointed a com- 
mittee to confer with Rev. Leslie 
Irwin, In regard to his supplying the pulpit 
of the Settlement Church for six months. 
An agreement was effected, through this 
committee, between Mr. Irwin and the 
church, upon which he seems to have im- 
mediately entered upon the duties of stated 
supply. His services having been satis- 
factory to the congregation, on April i8th, 
1836, they extended an invitation to him to 
•continue his services until the meeting of 
Presbytery In October of that year. This 
offer was accepted and he continued his 
labors as stated supply. Before this term 
was completed, the congregation became 
so well pleased with him that they met, 
August 13th, and resolved to extend a call 
to him to become their pastor, After some 
delay he accepted the call, and was or- 
dained and installed In June, 1838. 

The affairs of the congregation now 
moved along smoothly until 1841, when 



h'ish Settle7nent. 109 

the old enemy, the faihng support of the 
congregation, made its appearance. This 
year the deficiency was made up, not as 
formerly by an additional duplicate, but by 
the private subscriptions of the remaining 
supporters. A large deficiency appeared 
again in 1842, and also in 1843. It was 
made good in each case by private sub- 
scriptions as before. It seems, special 
efforts were made to increase the number 
of supporters in order to obviate this in- 
convenience of a deficit in the support of 
the conorreofation. It will be noticed that 
the number of names upon the collector's 
duplicates increased to sixty-five in 1843, 
against forty-three in 1841. 

In 1844, it was found that the grave- 
yard fence, which had been erected in 181 1, 
had become somewhat dilapidated. Ac- 
cordingly, August 13th of this year, 
measures were taken to have repairs made 
thereon. At the same time directions 
were given to have the floor of the church 
repaired, and the pulpit lowered. These 
had remained, it seems, as constructed in 
the new church building more than thirty 
years before, in 1813. 

At a meetinof of the Trustees at which 
these repairs were ordered, which were 
made necessary by the destroying hand of 
time, they were called upon to repair a 
breach which had been made by the hand 



110 Irish Settlements 

of death. In 1826, they had elected Mn 
Robert Horner their Treasurer. From year 
to year they re-elected him, for eighteeris 
years. But at this meeting, August 13th, 
1844, they had the sad duty of electing a 
new Treasurer, to fill the place of one wha 
had for so many } ears held this office by 
successive re-elections. That he should 
be thus elected from year to year for sc^ 
long a time, Is the best proof of the fidelity 
and propriety with which he discharged 
the duties of the office. Robert Horner 
died in July of this year. There may be 
seen in the old churchyard a marble slab 
bearing the following inscription : 

'■'■ In memory of Robert Horner, who departed 
this life July 7th, 1844, aged sixty-three years^ two 
months, and fourteen days.'* 

It will be remembered the two places of 
preaching regularly were at the Church 
near Weaversville, and at the Academy, 
below Bath. Some time previous to 1845, 
Mr. Irwin deemed it proper to preach at 
the Crane Iron Works, or Catasauqua, as 
it is now called, as there was a growing 
population there which was within the 
bounds of his congregation, and there 
seemed to be a need for religious instruc- 
tion among the people. This was upon 
the extreme western border of his charge. 
In like manner he perceived a need for 



Irish SettlemeJit. 1 L I 

religious instruction in the town of Bath, 
which was jikewise in the bounds of his 
charge on the east. 

On account of this division of Mr. Irwin's 
time into four instead of two parts, as is 
not uncommon under such circumstances, 
the regular members of the church mani- 
fested dissatisfaction with the new arrange- 
ment. A meeting was called November 
1st, 1845, at which time notice was given 
of this dissatisfaction in the congregation. 
It was stated to exist mainly in the eastern 
portion of the charge. The ground of the 
complaint was said to be the unequal por- 
tion of time allowed them for morning 
service at the Academy. They claimed as 
a matter of right and justice that the morn- 
ing service should alternate between the 
Church near Weaversville, and the Aca- 
demy. They expressed their willingness, 
however, for the afternoon service to 
be held at the church, so long as the 
pastor continued to preach at Bath and 
Catasauqua. 

The dissatisfaction was of so decided a 
character that several persons gave notice 
that they should reduce their subscriptions 
if their just claims were not complied with. 

Such, in brief, was the trouble which 
arose in the con^reo^ation at this time, but 
which after a time subsided without pro- 
ducing apparently any damaging commo- 



112 Irish Settlenienf. 

tlon among the people. Mr. Irwin con- 
tinued to preach at Bath and Catasauqua. 
In 1847, Ave find the latter place rendering- 
some pecuniary support to the congrega- 
tion. Mr. Frederic W. Nagle appears to 
have been the collector of salary from the 
western part of the charge. Of the 
$215.67 collected by him, $68.75 ^^s from 
Catasauqua. This then may be considered 
the first pledge of Presbyterlanism in 
Catasauqua, which has so wonderfully 
Increased since that time. In 1848, it con- 
tributed $50.00, and the same amount In 
1849, thus continuing the good work. 
This enlargement of the labors of the 
pastor seems to have relieved somewhat 
the pecuniary affairs of the congregation. 

In 1848, 1849, 1850^ 185I' 1852, 1853, 
1856, 1857, and 1858, the income was 
greater than was necessary for the ex- 
penses, and In consequence, one-fourth 
of the stipend was thrown off each year. 
In 1854 and 1855, one-third was thrown 
off. 

With the year 1851, there seems to have 
been a general renovation of the church 
property. The graveyard had either be- 
come too much crowded, or change in 
regard to it was deemed expedient. Ac- 
cordingly a portion of ground on the w^est 
side was exchanged for ground situated 
south of the old graveyard. This will best 



Ii'ish Settlement. 113 

appear from the following record found in 
the minutes of a meedng held June 14th, 
1851: 

" At a meeting of the congregation held 
at the church on the 14th day of June, 1851,. 
convened agreeably to public notice, for the 
purpose of taking into consideration the 
propriety of enlarging the graveyard, and 
to effect the same by exchanging that por- 
tion of the enclosed church ground on the 
west side of the graveyard wall with 
Absalom Reichard, for lands lying on the 
south side of the graveyard, the meeting 
was organized by calling James Kerr to 
the chair, when a motion was made that 
the Trustees of the congregation be 
authorized to make the exchange of said 
lands. The question being put, it was 
unanimously agreed to." 

Such Is the record of the decision In re- 
gard to the matter. The Trustees carried 
out the instructions given by the congrega- 
tion, and the exchange was made, as- 
appears from the minutes of a meeting 
held Nov. ist. 

We make the folio win or brief extract 
beanng on this point: 

'' Deeds of conveyance for the exchange 
of ten perches of land, with Absalom. 



114 Irish Settlement. 

Relchard and wife, were made, adjoining' 
the graveyard." 

The deed of conveyance made by 
Absalom Reichard to the Trustees, was in 
trust for the congregation. The names of 
the Trustees inserted were Joseph Brown^ 
Hugh Horner, Wm. Brown, Thomas Clen- 
dinen,- Robert McDowel and PhiHp Insley. 
It bears date Nov. ist, 1851. Thus, at 
this time and in this manner, was the 
burying ground enlarged to its present 
proportions. 

This year also it was found necessary to 
put a new roof on the church near Wea- 
versville, which seems to have stood with- 
out repair since the church was built in 
1813, some thirty-eight years. A new roof 
being found necessary on examination, 
Joseph Horner and John Horner, at the 
meeting held Nov. ist, were appointed a 
committee to circulate subscriptions to 
defray the expenses of the new roof. The 
committee reported at a meeting held Nov. 
27th, and orders were given for the putting 
on of the roof. During this year the 
church was transferred to the care of the 
new Second Presbytery of Philadelphia. 

We have previously spoken of the care 
with which the Trustees watched over the 
interests of the church in the early days of 
the corporation, appealing at times to the 



Irish Settlemsnt. 115 

civil law to enforce their just claims. Al- 
though there does not seem to have been 
occasion- for them to exercise \\\'z\r power 
for a number of years previous to 1854, in 
this year we have a record which shows 
that the spirit of the fathers had descended 
to their children. There had been a dere- 
liction on the part of one of the collectors 
for a previous year. The collector had 
not made a final settlement with the Trus- 
tees. He was by them ordered to make 
such settlement within ten days under 
penalty of being" prosecuted. In such, 
manner, therefore, we find the latter day 
Trustees watchlno- over the rights and 
and claims of the church. Their firm 
action secured the end In view, for Nov. 
27th, of the same year, the Treasurer re- 
ported the settlement of the duplicate in 
question. 

Matters now passed along In the con- 
gregation for a number of years without 
any apparent deviation from that quietude 
which characterized the church durlnof the 
greater portion of her history. But whilst 
all seemed quiet and satisfactory, further 
trouble was Insidiously working itself tO' 
the surface. This seems to have originated 
In the old arrangement of the pastor, 
whereby part of his time was occupied at 
Catasauqua. As we have intimated, the 
Catasauqua people had supported the 



116 Irish Settlemeitt. 

pastor of the old Settlement Church in 
part, through the Trustees of the corpora- 
tion. As we have pointed out, the 
pecuniary affairs of the old church seemed 
to be relieved somewhat whilst this was 
going on. But In 1859, the Setdement 
people again found themselves straitened 
for funds to meet their obligations to the 
pastor. 

A meeting was called Nov. 12th, of this 
year, to consider the matter of the support 
of the congregation. One-fourth, and 
sometimes one-third of the stipends had 
been thrown off during several years 
previous. This must be discontinued. 
Upon mature deliberation It was decided 
to Increase the assessments to what they 
were In 1843, i^ order to meet the liabilities 
of the congregation. The trouble thus 
adjusted was but the beginning of a series 
which terminated in the dissolution of the 
pastoral relation between Mr. Irwin and 
the congregation. That portion of the 
people living in and near Catasauqua had 
formed themselves Into a separate congre- 
gation and had built a house of worship. 
Mr. Irwin had removed to Catasauqua in 
order that he might supply the people 
there as well as at the old church and 
Academy. 

Dissatisfaction arose, from one cause or 
another, among the members of the 



Irish Settlement. 117 

old congregation. Pecuniary difficulties 
harassed the Board of Trustees. Troubles 
appeared to be rising on all sides. Under 
these circumstances, a meeting of the con- 
gregation was called July 21st, i860, In the 
minutes of which we find the following 
record bearing on this subject : 

" The object of the meeting having been 
stated that, whereas there has been a large 
falling off of the members of the congrega- 
tion by death, removals, and otherwise, 
thereby disabling the Trustees to raise the 
pastor's salary ; it was, on motion, resolved, 
that a committee be appointed to call on 
the pastor, the Rev. Leslie Irwin, and ask 
for a reduction of his salary." 

This deficiency in the salary took definite 
proportions Nov. 14th, at which time the 
amount of deficiency being ascertained, 
Mr. * * * and Mr. ^= * * were 
appointed to take up subscriptions through 
the congregation to meet the deficiency. 
At the same time Mr. * * '^' was 
appointed to confer wath Mr. Irwin upon 
the embarrassing state of affairs in the 
congregation. This conference resulted In 
an agreement between Mr. Irwin and Mr. 
* * * as set forth In a loose note 
among the papers of the congregation, 
containing a memorandum of the same In 
the following words : 

"Nov. 15th, i860. It is understood and 



118 Ii^ish Settlement. 

agreed upon between Rev. L. Irwin and 
Mr. * * , that Mr. Irwin is to preach 
as usual for the sum of '^ * * dollars, 
for one year from the 27th inst., and after 
that time if necessity, or change of circum- 
stances should require any reduction, he 
(Mr. Irwin) is willing to make it*" 

Such is a brief sketch of the circum- 
stances cnf the church in t86o. 

We now pass on to 1863. In this year 
it was found that repairs were again needed 
upon the church building near Weaversville, 
as well as upon the wall of the bury- 
ing ground. A meeting of the Trustees 
was held Nov. 6th, at which time it was 
resolved to have the roof of the church 
and graveyard wall repaired. The sub- 
ject was again brought up in a meeting 
held Nov. 14th, at which time it was 
decided that the roof on the north side of 
the church should be slate, and the grave- 
yard wall should be protected by boards 
laid lengthwise, until the spring of 1864, 
when further action should be taken in 
regard to the matter. These seem to have 
been the last repairs of any consequence, 
put upon the old church building previous 
to that general renovation of which we 
shall speak hereafter. 

In 1845, Joseph Horner was elected 
Treasurer of the Board of Trustees. From 
year to year he was re-elected for twenty- 



hish Settlement.- 119 

one years. In January, 1866, he was as 
usual elected to that office, but this was for 
the last time. He was soon to bid adieu to 
earth and all its sorrow^s. As with his pre- 
decessor, the best evidence of the fidelity 
with which he discharged the duties of the 
office is in the confidence manifested by 
the Trustees from time to time in re-elect- 
ing him to the office. As a man he had 
few equals in kindness. Although the 
words he spoke were few, he manifested 
the nobleness of his heart by that which 
speaks louder than words, praiseworthy 
actions. All who knew him only knew 
him to speak well of him. None could say 
they had an enemy in him, for those with 
whom he had most to do, and who were 
most likely to complain, could not say less 
than, "That man was my friend," or "T 
loved that man." 

Under the trials of a lingering illness 
and fatal disease, he exercised the greatest 
patience and resignation, never uttering a 
murmuring word, or making complaint 
against the hand of Providence. In peace 
he breathed his last, dying, as far as mortal 
eye could see, the death of the Christian. 

Appropriate to the character of the man, 
the following simple inscription may be 
seen upon his tombstone in the old bury- 
ing ground, where his remains lie in peace. 



120 Irish Settlement, 

beyond the cares and turmoil of this 
world : 

'' I nmemory of Joseph Horner ; born October 
24th, 1790; died January 27th, 1866." 

A meeting of the Trustees was held at 
the house of Mr. John Agnew, March 7th, 
to elect a new Treasurer. At this meeting 
Mr. Joseph Brown resigned the office of 
President of the Board, which he held at 
the time, and Mr. Thomas Clendlnen was 
chosen In his place. Then Mr. Brown was 
elected Treasurer, which office he has con- 
tinued to hold to the present time, (1875.) 

The Trustees In session, January 7th, 
1867, took Into consideration the unattrac- 
tive appearance of the old burying ground. 
It was very uneven, and Infested with 
weeds and briers, which though cut down 
from year to year, as often grew up again, 
and made the appearance of the grounds 
forbidding. In order to Improve the ap- 
pearance of the place, the following reso- 
lution was offered by Mr. Joseph Brown In 
regard to the matter : 

" On motion of Joseph Brown, a resolu- 
tion was passed to employ some suitable 
person to fix the graves and level the 
ground In the graveyard ; the necessary 
expenses to be paid out of the treasury." 

This resolution was carried into effect,, 
and the old burying ground thoroughly 



Irish Settlemait. 121 

renovated. The inequalities in the surface 
of the ground have, to a large extent, been 
removed. The graves have been properly 
filled up ; old and tottering tombstones 
have been reset; some of the older people 
have put neat and substantial railings 
around the graves of their ancestors ; 
and evergreens have to some extent been 
planted. These, with the green sward 
that now meets the eye on entering, in 
contrast with the former brambles, give 
the old burying ground an inviting aspect ; 
and show the care which the present gen- 
eration are bestowing upon the place 
where lie the ashes of our ancestors. The 
whole is protected by a substantial stone 
wall, kept in suitable repair. Those who 
live far away from those scenes which sur- 
rounded their ancestors, may be a"ssured 
that the resting places of these are pro- 
perly cared for. 

We have alluded to the difficulties which 
arose in the congregation in i860, and how 
they were adjusted. This, it seems, was 
but a temporary accommodation of affairs 
of the congregation which were in a very 
discouraging condition. As we have pre- 
viously intimated, Mr. Irwin, for a number 
of years, lived in Catasauqua, preaching to 
the old congregation and new one at the 
same time. The division of his time in 
this manner gave grounds for dissatisfac- 



122 Irish Settlement. 

tion on the part of the members belonging 
to the old congregation. From some cause 
or other, be it more or less clearly defined, 
Mr. Irwin deemed it expedient for him to 
remove from Catasauqua to his farm, per- 
haps a half mile below Bath. This he did 
in 1864. Having given up his charge in 
Catasauqua, he now ministered exclusively 
to the old congregation, preaching alter- 
nately at the church near Weaversville, and 
at the Academy near Bath. Now living 
among his people, in the eastern part of 
the congregation, he endeavored to stay the 
decline of the church, which had become 
so manifest. Whether it originated in the 
old dissatisfaction or was based upon some 
other cause we are not prepared to state ; 
at all events the pastor did not seem to 
command that co-operation of his people 
which was so essential to success in the 
existing state of affairs. Many of the 
children in the congregation had not been 
baptized in infancy. Those who had been, 
and had grown up to be young men and 
young women, did not seem to be coming 
up to the responsibilities of church member- 
ship, as might properly have been expected 
of them. The pastor agitated the subject 
of erectinor a new church buildingf in the 
town of Bath. The members of the church 
seemed to feel that this project would not 
be successful under the circumstances. 



Irish SeUlemeiif. 123 

At all events they do not seem to have 
responded to the suggestions of the pastor 
in as full and prompt a manner as was 
calculated to make the project successful. 
Thus matters went on for a year or two 
previous to the spring of 1868. Some 
time before the meeting of Presbytery, 
(Second of Philadelphia,) in April, 1868, 
Mr. Irwin left the conorreoratlon. Mn 
Joseph Brown and Mr. John Horner ap- 
peared at the meeting of Presbytery at 
Catasauqua in April, as commissioners 
from the congregation, in accordance with 
the appointment of a meeting held March 
28th. In view of the state of affairs the 
congregation having consented thereto, the 
pastoral relation was dissolved. Thus the 
church became vacant after enjoying the 
pastoral services of Mr. Irwin for more 
than thirty years. 

From the meeting of Presbytery in 1868 
to Nov., 1869, the congregation was vacant. 
During this time the pulpit was supplied 
by various persons from various sources. 
Occasional sermons were preached by 
members of the Second Presbytery of 
Philadelphia. Other ministers would 
preach for the people as occasion would 
direct. From Sept., 1868, to April, 1869, 
numerous supplies went from the Theolo- 
gical Seminary at Princeton, N. J. Among^ 
these, from the class of 1869, may be 



124 Irish Settlemeiit. 

mentioned Mr. W. W. Heberton, son of 
Rev. Alex. Heberton, former stated sup- 
ply to the congregation. The Rev. W. 
W. Heberton is now (1875) pastor at 
Elkton, Md. Mr. L. W. Eckard, since 
Missionary to China, but now pastor at 
Abington, Pa., Mr. Andrew H. Parker, 
pastor at East Kishoquillas, Pa., Mr. John 
Murdock, for a time since pastor at Islip, 
L. I., Mr. A. P. Kelso, now Missionary to 
India, Mr. Jacob Krewson, pastor at For- 
restville, Bucks county, Pa,, Mr. Wm. G. 
Cairns, pastor at Cream Ridge, N. J., Mr. 
R. P. Gibson, pastor at Silver Spring, Pa., 
Mr. Chas. S. Wood, of Richwood, O., Mr. 
W. S. C. Webster, of Elizabeth, N. J., 
and perhaps a few others, supplied the 
pulpit upon one or more occasions. The 
writer of these pages also preached a few 
times whilst visiting among the people. 

The congregation were so well pleased 
with the services of Mr. Jacob Krewson, 
that they extended a call to him to become 
their pastor, in the spring of 1869. This, 
however, was declined on the part of Mr. 
Krewson. From the class of 1870 in 
Princeton Theological Seminary, Mr. John 
Turner, now pastor at Thompson Ridge, 
N. Y., Mr. John D. Hewitt, pastor at 
Ringoes, N. J., and Mr. W. W. Curds, of 
Silver City, New Mexico, may be mentioned 



Irish Settlement. 125 

as supplying the pulpit upon one or more 
occasions. 

Mr. Curtis was the regular supply dur- 
ing the summer of 1869. His preaching 
was greatly blessed to the people. To 
his labors at this time may largely be at- 
tributed the improved temporal and spirit- 
ual condition of the congregation since. 
He has many warm friends among the old 
Settlement people, and has been the means 
of interesting them in benevolent enter- 
prises beyond their own bounds since his 
sojourn among them. 

Many have been the needy Christians 
in the missionary fields of the west who 
have been clad and encouraged by bene- 
factions from the Settlement, drawn forth 
through the solicitations of Mr. Curtis. 
Mr. Curtis, not having completed his theo- 
logical studies, left the people in the fall of 
1869, and returned to Princeton. Thus 
we are brought down to the present pas- 
torate. 



326 Irish Settlement 




CHAPTER VIL 

1870-1875. 

^ITH the re-union of 1870 the church 
came under the care of the Pres- 
bytery of Lehigh. 
During the summer of 1869, the Rev. 
David M. James, pastor of the Mount 
OHve Presbyterian Church, N. J., visited 
the Settlement and preached for the peo- 
ple. The congregation perceived in him 
the proper qualifications of mind and heart 
to make a suitable pastor for them. They 
without delay extended a call to him. Not- 
withstanding the temporal and spiritual 
condition of the church was not of the 
most inviting character at the time, be it 
said to the lasting credit of Mr. James, he 
did not decline to enter upon the work to 
which God by his Providence seemed to be 
calling him. He accepted the call of the 
people, and the Presbytery proceeded to 
make arrangements for his installation^ 
This took place November 9th, 1869. We 
cannot do better than give the words of 
one who was an eye-witness of, and par- 
ticipated in the interesting services of Mn 



Irtish SettlemenL 127 

James' Installation, which were so auspi- 
cious for the future of this old historic 
church. We find them in 'the "Presby- 
terian," of November 27th, 1869, as fol- 
lows : 

" Messrs. Editors : — The Rev David M. James 
was installed pastor of the Allen Township Presby- 
terian Church on the afternoon of the 9th inst. 
The Rev. Mr. Banks, of Easton, Pa., presided and 
preached ; the Rev. Mr. Kerr delivered a very appro- 
priate charge to the pastor, and the Rev. Mr. Fulton, 
of Catasaquua, Pa., the charge to the people. The 
exercises throughout were of an interesting and im- 
pressive character. We congratulate this congrega- 
tion upon their happy selection of a pastor. Mr. 
James is an Alumnus of Lafayette College, and a 
graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary. He 
has been for a number of years the efficient pastor of 
Mount Olive Church, New Jersey. He now comes to 
a church of historic interest. Although its member- 
ship has been largely reduced by removals, those 
very changes which have been its loss, have been 
great gain to the cause of Christ, and of Presbyte- 
rianism in many other parts of the country, particu- 
larly in the middle and western states. For more 
than one hundred and thirty years the descendants of 
a respectable and thoroughly indoctrinated Scotch- 
Irish ancestfy have been maintaining and propagat- 
ing the faith of their fathers in this region, and 
sending forth an element and influence that shall 
live and last and operate in the Presbyterian Church, 
where perhaps much of a present, but ephemeral 
notoriety will be unheard of. In connection with 
the ministry of this church, either of regular pastorate 
or supply, we find the names of Revs. Gilbert Ten- 
nent, by Wtiom the church was organized in 1738 ; 
James Campbell, 1740; Beatty, 1743; David Brainerd, 
1744; Lawrence, 1747 ; John Clark, 1762 ; John Res- 



128 Irish Settlement. 

brugh, 1719 ; Alexander Mitchel, 1777 ; James Sproat, 
1778 ; Francis Peppard, 1783 ; Robert Russel, 1798 ; 
Alexander Heberlon, 1827 ; William Mcjimsey, 1831 ; 
Brogan Hoff, 1833 ; and Leslie Irwin, 1835. Of these 
are men of God whose praise still lives in the churches, 
and whose record shall be forever on high. Mr. 
Irwin served this church faithfully for about thirty 
years, and since liis removal to the west, in r868, the 
church has been without a regular pastor until now, 
although many acceptable supplies have filled the 
pulpit ; in particular Mr. Curtis, now of the Theolo- 
gical Seminary, Princeton, whose labors here during 
the past summer have been greatly blessed to the 
people. Mr. James now enters upon this charge 
under very encouraging circumstances. He enjoys 
their merited confidence, while they are much united 
and revived under his ministry. At their last com- 
munion season, twenty persons were united to the 
membership of the church. They have now con- 
cluded to erect a new church at Bath. And from 
the need of a new Presbyterian Church, particularly 
at this point, from the ability of the people, and 
from the interest they now manifest in this worthy 
enterprise, we are persuaded the good work will soon 
be accomplished And also that a rich blessing is yet 
in store for the descendants of those fathers who con- 
secrated this ground with their tears, when they re- 
tired to weep under the hazel bushes, with the 
message of Jesus from the burning lips of David 
Brainerd in their hearts. 

"Lehigh." 

We have Intimated that at the time Mr. 
James was called to the pastorate of the 
church, her prospects temporally and spir- 
itually were not of the most encouraging 
character. We might say they were ex- 
ceedingly discouraging. It was about that 



h'ish Settleme7it, 129 

time the foregoing pages were written, sub- 
stantially as the reader here finds them. 
With the circumstances of the congregation 
vividly before the mind, we then wrote as 
follows: We cannot turn from the record 
of these events, simple and comparatively 
unimportant as some of them may seem, 
without reflecting upon the mutability of 
all things here below. Those who founded, 
and who were for many years the staunch 
supporters of the church, have all passed 
away. We open those old records and 
read name after name whose counterpart 
we find upon many a tombstone In the old 
graveyard. Here, too, are the monuments 
which were raised to the memory of the 
dead when we had no national existence. 
When we walk through this old city of the 
dead and read the names of those who 
were laid low in the tomb a hundred years 
ago, and then look out upon the splendor 
of our nation which has risen since these 
were laid there, we pause and ask our- 
selves, can all this have transpired in so 
short a time ? There attach themselves to 
these sacred spots, which seem as links to 
bind us to a former age, such hallowed 
associations as make the passer by pause 
and consider, when and under what circum- 
stances in the distant future some one may 
pay the same tribute of respect to his 
memory. Here are the evidences of work 
7 



130 Irish Settlement. ' 

performed by our ancestors when those 
beautiful surrounding hills and vales were 
covered with the primeval forests. Here 
are designated the last resting places of 
those who encountered the trials of an 
early settler's life, braved winter storms 
and a savage foe in an age gone by. 
When we consider, too, the various estates 
which in that early day were held by our 
Scotch-Irish ancestry, and now see so 
many of them possessed by those of another 
nationality, we ask ourselves, shall this 
course of disintegration and decay con- 
tinue ? Shall that name which has for 
nearly one hundred and fifty years desig- 
nated this beautiful region, to which so many 
in the various parts of our broad land are 
pleased to trace their ancestry, be lost in 
•oblivion ? Shall we hear no more of the 
Irish Setdement? Shall those old build- 
ings where the praises of God have been 
celebrated for the last half or three-quar- 
ters of a century, be deserted and desolate? 
Shall those old pews, which speak of better 
days, be empty and forgotten? Shall those 
old walls decay, totter and fall, no more to 
rise ? Shall these, like the forms of those 
who reared them to the service of God, 
sink beneath the sod ? Alas, we fear such 
must be their fate. Decay and desolation 
seem to be written upon those old walls. 
Yet this change from brightness to shade 



Irish Settlement. 131 

in the prospects of the old time honored 
church, is not attributable to the faithful 
few who continue to resort there for 
worship. Those old walls are as dear to 
them as were the walls of a once magnifi- 
cent Jerusalem to the Jews. It is a higher 
and miohtier hand than man's that is work- 
ing. If the praises of God cease to be 
celebrated in these sacred retreats, by 
those of the nationalities which instituted 
His praise there, let it be remembered that 
from these have gone out streams to make 
glad the city of our God, As a church 
God has been, and "is in the midst of her; 
she shall not be moved ; God shall help 
her, and that right early." 

Such was the feeling which the circum- 
stances of the congregation created within 
our mind at the commencement of the 
pastorate of Mr. James. Whilst we ex- 
pressed that feeling, since five or six years 
have rolled by we find we quoted the 
words q{ the sacred writer in a wonderfully 
prophetic manner. We declared that God 
had been and was in the midst of the old 
church, and that he would help her, and 
that right early. This has been proven to 
be emphatically true. God did help her, 
and that right early, as we shall presendy 
see. 

Before we speak of the present pros- 
perity of the church, let us make a brief 



132 IiHsh Settlement. 

resume of the circumstances which appa- 
rently led to the decline and threatened the 
extinction of the congregation. 

Allen and East Allen Townships were 
the centre of what was known In earlier 
days as the Irish Settlement. After the 
Settlement was commenced, In 1728, and 
grew under the auspices of the Aliens, 
who were friends of Presbyterlanism, peo- 
ple of Scotch and Irish extraction, and 
imbued with the principles of Presbyterian- 
ism, Immigrated thither. The surrounding 
country at that time was to a large extent 
a wilderness. Thus it can be clearly seen 
how all the circumstances In the early days 
of the Settlement were conducive to the 
prosperity of the church. Her star was 
then in the ascendant. As families moved 
into the neighborhood, and the children 
^rew up, the church was proportlonably 
strengthened. But there was a limit to 
this tide of fortune. The time came when 
immigration to the Setdement to a large 
degree, if not wholly, ceased. The sur- 
rounding country began to be filled up with 
that thrifty and substantial class of people 
known as the Pennsylvania Germans. 
There was no room for the Settlement to 
grow in proportions, and no new supply of 
material from abroad to make it grow. 
Thus we can see how the Settlement and 
her church was brought to a standsdll, 



Irish Settlement. Ic3 

so far as her prosperity was concerned. 
But coming to a standstill was but to begin 
a retrograde movement. The families of 
the old settlers growing up, must be pro- 
vided for. There was no inviting and 
economical mode of providing for them in 
the bounds of the old Settlement. Neces- 
sity, therefore, compelled the people to 
look beyond the Setdement for homes for 
their children. In addition to this natural 
cause of emigration, difficulties with regard 
to land titles, growing out of the results of 
the American Revolution, tended in the same 
direction. The question now arose as to 
whether the children in the families should 
seek homes in the newer portions of the 
country, or whether the whole families 
should emigrate and settle where all could 
live in close proximity to each other. 
The latter plan seems to have been to a 
large degree adopted. This emigration of 
families from the Settlement to other parts 
of the country has been insidiously going 
on, to a greater or less degree, for more 
than seventy years. Through this the de- 
scendants of the old settlers may be found 
to-day scattered along the banks of the 
Susquehanna, in Centre county, in Chester 
county, in Pittsburgh and vicinity. Hosts of 
these descendants may be found in the 
Genesee country, in western New York; in 
fact they are scattered all over the Middle 



134 Irish Settlemenf.- 

and Western States, to the latter of which 
they have gone as by a second emigration. 
They have carried Presbyterianism with 
them, so that it may truly be said that from 
the old Setdement have gone forth streams 
which have made glad the city of our God. 
This constant removal of families, as we 
have endeavored to point out in the fore- 
going pages, wrought its legitimate effects 
upon the old mother church. She was 
slowly dying from disintegration. The 
question may be asked why the community 
which has ever been populous in the Setde- 
ment, did not supply material for the 
church in place of that which was lost by 
emigration ? This question may be an- 
swered by callino- attention to the fact that 
it was almost universally the case that 
when a Scotch or Irish family removed, 
their property fell into the hands of a Penn- 
sylvania German. In fact, this substantial 
class of our citizens have for many years 
been pressing hard upon the precincts of 
the old Settlement. Their inclinations, so 
far 'as church relations are concerned, have 
ever been toward the Lutheran and Ger- 
man Reformed denominations. They have 
ever gone upon the assumption, apparently, 
that they were not expected to take an in- 
terest in the old Settlement Presbyterian 
Church. On the other hand, the Scotch- 
Irish element, apparently, went upon the 



Irish Settlement. 135 

assumption that it was their mission to con- 
serve the interests of Presbyterianism in 
the community. Whilst ready enough to 
extend the hand of fellowship to a German 
brother-Christian, they do not seem to have 
made any strenuous efforts to enlist the 
sympathies of these people in the affairs of 
the old Settlement Church. Thus we can 
see how death and emigration would work 
their ravages upon the church, with com- 
paratively nothing to counteract their influ- 
ence. Under the influence of these and 
other causes, we may truly say the church 
was threatened with utter extinction. So 
it seemed about the time the pastorate of 
Mr. James commenced. The old church 
near Weaversville, had in appearance fallen 
far benina the aee. mere was stiii die 
high narrow pulpit with its winding stairs 
at one side, just as they had been built, for 
aught we could learn, more than sixty years 
ago. There were the old fashioned straight 
high backed pews in which the members of 
the church had sat from infancy to old age. 
There were the old posts, placed to sup- 
port the joined wooden ceiling long before 
the recollection of the younger members of 
the church. There was the old communion 
table, with its beautifully carved legs, telling 
of an age gone by. The old walls were 
stained and begrimed through the leaking 
of the decaying roof. Such was the old 



136 Irish Settlernenf, 

church near Weaversvllle. Nor was the 
Old Academy, the other place of preach- 
ing, much more inviting. It had been built 
for school purposes, but when the waning 
fortunes of the Settlement divested it of 
its impprtance as an institution of learning, 
it was accommodated to the uses of public 
worship. But there remained the old plat- 
form, extending across the entire southern 
end of the room. In the middle of this 
was the semi-circuiar railing which sup- 
ported the pulpit board. Time had made 
an indelible impression upon the old leather 
covered Bible, and had riddled the old 
cloth screen upon the railing, putting it in 
sad contrast with the brass headed tacks 
which held it in position and which grew 
brighter and brighter as furbished by the 
vestments of the men of God from year to 
year. 

In front of the minister s face, and where 
he could almost touch it with his hands as 
he proclaimed the word of truth, was the 
old fashioned stove with its pipe rusting 
through under the corroding hand of time. 
Upon the minister's right were the benches, 
apparently made only for temporary use 
many years before, upon which sat the 
male portion of the congregation. On the 
left were similar benches occupied by the 
females. The walls and ceiling were dis- 
colored and unsightly. In short, the whole 



Irish Settlement, 137 

appearance of the house of worship was 
uncomfortable, uninviting, and out of date. 

This aspect of the buildings and the 
depleted resources of the congregation, 
made us, as the descendant of one of- the 
old families, tremble for the ark of God in 
the Settlement. It was under these influ- 
ences we penned the picture which we 
have inserted above. But it has been 
truly said, the darkest hour Is just before 
dawn. So it proved to be In this case. 
The people were not deceived in their 
estimate of Mr. James when they called 
him to the pastorate, in 1869. A man of 
experience in the pastorate, and knowing 
ho-w to win the hearts of those outside of 
the church as well as In It, he was the right 
man In the right place, to accomplish a 
good work for God and Presbyterian ism 
within the bounds of the old Settlement. 

We must now call attention to the result 
of a quiet work which has been going on 
among our Pennsylvania German citizens, 
and which has so favorably manifested 
itself in the bounds of the old Irish Setde- 
ment. The present generation have been 
under the Influence of our common school 
system. The result of this has been to in- 
troduce the English language to a large 
extent among the German population. It 
perhaps may be truly said, that the 
younger generation of Germans In North- 
7* 



138 Irish Settlement. 

ampton and other counties, now generally 
use the English language in ordinary con- 
versation. This being the case, it would 
be natural for them to have a desire to 
listen to English preaching, by ministers 
who always had spoken the English 
language. This has manifested itself in 
the town of Bath, whose population is 
almost exclusively Pennsylvania German. 
The younger people speak, generally, the 
English language. They have enjoyed 
suitable church privileges under the minis- 
try of the Lutheran and German Reformed 
Churches where the German and English 
languages have been used interchangeably. 
But whilst they have been appropriately 
indoctrinated in the great fundamental 
principles of Christianity in this way, they 
have manifested a desire for English 
preaching. 

Mr. James, and the remnant of the old 
Settlement people, were quick to discover 
this auspicious change in the sentiments of 
their worthy neighbors, and take advantage 
of it for the welfare and advancement of 
the Presbyterian Church. Another aus- 
picious circumstance was the spiritual 
awakening among the people, apparently 
through the instrumentality of the Rev. 
Mr. Curtis, just previous to Mr. Jsmes' 
entrance upon his pastorate. We learn 
that at the sacramental occasion previous to 



Irish Settlement. 139 

Mr. James' installation, twenty persons 
connected themselves with the church. 
Thus were the people spiritually enlivened 
and strencrthened for the work which was 

o ... 

before them. Another auspicious circum- 
stance was the fact that whilst God by his 
providence had depleted the ranks of the 
old Settlement people, he had granted a 
goodly portion of this world's goods tO' 
those who remained. 

Under these circumstances it was decided 
that the time had arrived for building a 
Presbyterian Church in Bath. The mem- 
bers of the church resolved to do their 
part, and seek the aid and co-operation of 
others in the community, and especially of 
those living in Bath. Be it said to the last- 
ing credit of all, that the old Settlement 
people responded liberally when called 
upon for this purpose, and the Bath peo- 
ple, as well as others more distant, heartily 
seconded their efforts. Of those who did: 
so in the congregation we might mentioa 
the names of Mrs. Margaret Horner, wife 
of the late Joseph Horner, who so long 
and so faithfully served the church as- 
Treasurer, together with her two daughters; 
the late Judge James Kennedy, whose: 
name for many years was familiar in the 
church; Mrs. Dr. Boyd, daughter of James. 
Clyde, whose name appears frequendy 
amonof the Trustees of the conorregation ; 



140 Irish Settlement. 

Mr. Joseph Brown; Mr. John Horner, son 
of Hu^h Horner, whose name is prominent 
among the Trustees of former days ; Mr. 
Hugh R. Horner, son of Robert Horner, 
who so long and so faithfully served the 
conerecration as Treasurer ; Thomas Clen- 
dinen, and others whose names would not 
sound so familiar to those who now live 
beyond the bounds of the Settlement. 

Of those outside of the congregation we 
might mention the names of James Vleit, 
Esq., Dr. Shull, of Bethlehem, Wm. Chap- 
man, and others. In seeking a location in 
Bath the people desired one sufficiently 
central and still appropriately retired. 
Upon the road leading from Blethlehem to 
Bath, upon a beautifully shaded portion of 
the street, not more than two squares from 
the business portion of the town, they found 
and secured a lot combining admirably 
the requisite qualifications. The lot was 
purchased Monday, Jan. 31st, 1870. Here, 
under the superintendence of Mr. Hugh R. 
Horner, and James Vleit, Esq., in 1870, the 
people erected a neat and commodious 
house of worship. The building stands 
back from the sidewalk ten or fifteen feet, 
and is on the west side of the street. It is 
a substandal brick structure thirty-eight by 
sixty feet. From the main entrance, out 
of the vestibule, a step or two down leads 
into the Sabbath school and lecture room. 



Irish Settlement. 141 

Here may be found a cheerful and attrac- 
tive place of worship. Maps, charts and 
other modern appliances are at hand for 
the proper Instruction of the children and 
people. To remind all of " the hole of the 
pit" whence they have been dug, the old 
seats from the Academy, altered and made 
more comfortable, are made to do service 
in seating the congregation. Here are the 
large heaters by which the main audience 
room above is warmed. Here the people 
hold their fairs, festivals, and enjoy many 
social occasions. 

Ascending to the main audience room 
we find all the surroundings cheerful and 
inviting. The pulpit is neat and of the 
latest and most approved pattern. In the 
rear of the pulpit may be seen richly 
carved and upholstered chairs, the gift of 
Mrs. Margaret Horner. In front may be 
seen a beautiful table, the gift of Mrs. 
Webster, of Mauch Chunk. In the oppo- 
site end of the room may be seen a con- 
veniently constructed choir gallery, in 
which may be found a suitable church 
organ, the gift of the Misses Sallie and 
Jennie Horner. Upon the pulpit board is 
a beautiful Bible, the gift of Miss Maria 
Insley. The pews are sixty-three in num- 
ber and are calculated to seat comfortably 
three hundred and fifty persons. They are 
ash, oiled and finished with walnut scrolls 



142 Irish Settleme^it. 

and tops. The windows are stained glass. 
The room Is made comfortable In winter 
by heaters In the basement. The building 
is surmounted by a symmetrical and attrac- 
tive spire. In the tower has been placed 
a suitable bell which calls the worshipers 
tocrether from time to time. This whole 
munificent gift of some $8;ooo to $10,000 
value was dedicated to the service of 
Almighty God on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 
24th, 1870. " In the morning, at 1 1 o'clock, 
the dedicatory services were conducted by 
the pastor, Rev. David M. James, assisted 
by Rev. D. S. Banks, who preached an 
appropriate and interesting sermon." In 
the evening, addresses were delivered 
by Rev. Messrs. J. W. Wood, of Allen- 
town, Wm. Fulton, of Catasauqua, and D. 
S. Banks, of Easton." "Two venerable 
members, Judge James Kennedy, and Mrs. 
Nancy Boyd, who contributed so liberally 
and who have expressed such earnest 
desires to see the church completed, were 
both present, though past eighty years of 
ajre, and enjoyed the services with all the 
fervor of former years." 

Such are extracts from the report of the 
dedicatory services, made at th@ time. 

In this new building Mr. James preaches 
from time to time to interested and largely 
increased audiences, composed to at grati- 
fying degree of citizens of Bath. 



Irish Settlement. 143 

The old Academy has been sold and 
dismantled. Whilst the exterior presents 
the same general appearance, little remains 
within to remind the beholder of days gone 
by when Governor Wolf, Thomas McKeen, 
and their compeers, frequented it. Ere we 
bid the old building a final farewell, we 
may be permitted to insert here a reminis- 
cence of her beginning, communicated to 
us by Mr. Samuel McNair, of Broadheads, 
Wisconsin. We give it in his own words : 

" Rev. John Rosbrugh was the father of 
James (Rosbrugh,) who used to tell an 
anecdote connected with the history of the 
building of the Academy, at Bath ; which 
was as follows : He, with a number of 
other young men, wanted the advantage of 
somethlno- better than a common school 
education, and they took measures to build 
by subscription. He called on a Dutch- 
man by the name^ of George Wolf for aid, 
but Mr. Wolf refused by saying, ' Dat dis 
edecatlon ant dings make raskels.' He 
refused at first, but I believe did afterwards 
help to build It. But in the course of the 
conversation, Mr. Rosbrugh told him that 
his sons, George and Philip, would have 
the advantage of an education, and that his 
son George might be Governor sooner or 
later. * Veil den, ven my George is Gob- 
ernor he will be queer times.' 

"The sequel of the matter was that 



144 Irish Settlejue^it. 

George Wolf got his English education in 
the old Academy, and after his election, 
(to the Governorship of the state,) it all 
came to the mind of Mr. Rosbrugh, who 
used to take pride in telling it." 

Thus we see the beginning and the end 
of the old Academy which served the 
people as a place of worship for nearly 
sixty years. We cannot speak of the old 
church near Weaversville, the other place 
of preaching, as we have spoken of the 
Academy. Ever since the old Academy 
was decided upon as a place of preaching, 
in 1813, it may emphatically be said there 
have been " two sides " in the congregation. 
Each side has manifested, from time to 
time, a lively concern lest the "other side" 
should become possessed of undue advan- 
tages in church accommodations. The 
new church being erected in Bath, and the 
old Academy abandoned, the east side had 
obtained a great ascendancy over the west 
side. The people on the west side per- 
ceived that unless something was done, 
and that speedily, at the old location, there 
was great danger that the old church would 
be deserted and fall into decay, being 
eclipsed by the new building in Bath. 
Accordingly the people of the west side 
urged the entire renovation of the old 
church building, erected in 181 3, near 
Weaversville. The work was undertaken 



Ii'ish Settlement. 145 

simultaneously with the erection of the new 
church in Bath. It had been the custom 
to enter by two doors on the south side of 
the building. These were masoned up 
and a new one opened at the east end of 
the building ; over this a substantial frame 
vestibule was erected. All the old exterior 
stone wall was hidden by being encased in 
a wooden siding which was painted white. 
Instead of the rusty old stone building 
which had stood for nearly sixty years, it 
was made to wear the appearance of a 
neat frame structure. Internally, all was 
changed. The old high narrow pulpit, 
with its winding stairs at the one side, 
which stood at the north side of the room, 
was removed. In its stead, at the west 
end of the room, a modern, comfortable 
and attractive pulpit and platform were 
erected. The old supporting posts in the 
middle of the room were removed, and the 
ceiling strengthened by a truss in the attic. 
The old high-back pews were removed, 
and modern and more comfortable ones 
put in their place, facing to the west instead 
of the north. An elevated platform was 
erected in the rear of the audience, near the 
new entrance, for the choir, and an organ 
was provided for their use. The walls 
and ceiling were divested of their smoke 
and stains, and arrayed in pure white. In 
short, the whole building was thoroughly 



146 Irish Settlement. 

renovated and rejuvenated. The old 
school house, which stood between the 
church and the road, was removed. A 
neat pale fence was built around the 
church lot, and the grounds put in appro- 
priate order. All was made to wear the 
appearance of comfort and convenience. 
It was re-occupied for divine service, 
December 4th, 1870. Thus has the old 
Church in the Setdement renewed her 
youth. 

Under the pastorate of Mr. James they 
are moving along harmoniously and do- 
ing a good work for God and Presbyte- 
rianism in the community. The English 
speaking portion of the German community 
of Bath and vicinity, seem to be interested 
m the new lite ot tne ola bettiemeni 
Church. The Settlement people are ex- 
tending the hand of Christian fellowship 
to their worthy friends and neighbors, and 
they are responding to a commendable de- 
gree by pecuniary support and substantial 
Christian work. The church, amid the new 
circumstances into which she has come, is 
laboring to make all feel in the community 
that they are welcome to all her privileges 
and blessings. It is hoped, also, by all who 
feel an interest in the church outside of as 
well as within the precincts of the old Irish 
Settlement, that those who occupy the 
places once filled by the Scotch and Irish 



Irish Settleme7it. 14 T 

people, will take up and sustain the good 
old heritage of Presbyterianism which has 
been handed down from generation to 
generation in their midst. That they will 
do this we have every reason to believe, 
judging from the disposition already shown 
on their part in the matter. We are re- 
joiced to be able to take up and re-echo, 
upon the eve of the Centennial of our 
American Independence, the words of an 
encouraged pastor in the old Irish Settle- 
ment Church, that, 

'' There is as good a prospect for a Pres- 
byterian Church to continue a hundred 
years to come, as there was a hundred 
years ago," when the pastor of the church, 
Rev. John Rosbrugh, was murdered by a 
relentless British foe, as he did his part to 
secure our National Independence, 



148 Irish Settlement. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



SKETCHES OF PASTORS. 




REV. ELEAZER WALES. 

HE first pastor of the Settlement 
Church seems to have been Rev. 
Eleazer Wales. What the ecclesi- 
astical antecedents of Mr. Wales were, pre- 
vious to 1731, we have not been able to 
learn. That year, however, his name 
appeared, we believe, for the first time, in 
the minutes of the Synod of Philadelphia. 
Although we have not positive evidence in 
the case, it is to be presumed he became 
pastor of the Settlement Church about that 
time. At all events, that year Thomas 
Craig appeared in Synod as an elder. We 
presume this was the same Thomas Craig 
who, in 1728, started what was afterwards 
known as the Craig, or Irish Settlement. 
The presumption that Mr. Wales was 
pastor and Mr. Craig elder in the Settlement 
Church, in 1731, becomes almost certain 
when we observe that this pastoral relation 
is alluded to and dealt with shordy after. 



Irish Settlement. 149 

We are informed by the minutes of the 
Presbytery of Philadelphia, that the pas- 
toral relation between Mr. Wales and the 
Settlement, or Allentown congregation, 
Avas dissolved in 1734. We find that dur- 
ing each meeting of the Synod from 1731 
to 1735, Mr. Wales was present. In 1736, 
he is marked absent. In 1737 and 1738, 
we believe his name does not appear 
at all. In 1739, he is reported as a 
member of the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick. It seems after leaving the 
Settlement Church he became pastor for 
a short time, of the Middle Smithfield 
Church. Dr. D. X. Junkin, in his Histori- 
cal Discourse at the Semi-Centennial of the 
Presbytery of Newton, in speaking of 
Middle Smithfield, says : 

" A little log church was built about 
1725. * * * It is supposed that Rev. 
Azariah Horton, before mentioned as 
David Brainerd's forerunner, preached the 
first sermon in English, in 1741, or '42. 
He preached in the little log church. * "^ 
* * * A Rev. Mr. Wales, from Allen 
Township seems to have been the earliest 
setded pastor. A Rev. Mr. Rhodes was 
also a laborer in that field, with much 
success; both of them between 1750 and 
the opening of the War of the Revolution." 

We suppose Dr. Junkin had good 
authority for making this statement with 



150 Irish SettlemenL 

reference to Mr. Wales, thou eh he has 
erred in assigning labor to him between 
1 750 and the Revolution. Mr. Wales died 
previous to Nov. 7th, 1750. 

From all the data, we infer that Mr. Wales 
was dismissed from the Presbytery of Phila- 
delphia in 1735, or '36, and connected him- 
self with the Presbytery of New York. 
When the brethren assembled at New 
Brunswick, on the afternoon of Aug. 8th, 
^7c>^'> foi" the purpose of constituting the 
Presbytery of New Brunswick, Mr. Wales 
was one of the members, being received 
from the Presbytery of New York, Thus 
he is regularly reported* to Synod in 1739, 
as a member of the New Brunswick Pres- 
bytery. 

At the first meeting of Presbytery, Aug, 
8th, 1738, "Upon a supplication made by 
Joshua Nichols, in behalf of the people of 
Pepack, and other adjacent parts, desiring 
some supplies of preaching, agreed that 
Mr. Wales preach at John Fraiser's upon 
the third Sabbath of this Inst.; upon the 
Monday following at Edward Barber's ; and 
upon the Tuesday at Amwell Meeting 
House." 

He may have been, previous to this, or 
now became pastor at Smithfield for a short 
time, as suggested by Dr. Junkin. But 
during the greater part of his time in con- 
nection with the Presbytery of New Bruns- 



Irish Settlement. 151 

wick, he was pastor of the church of King- 
ston, near Princeton, N. J. 

While in this charge, in 1743, he sup- 
phed at Freehold the first Sabbath in 
February, April and May. In 1744, he 
supplied the Settlement Church the two 
last Sabbaths in September and first 
in October, as we have seen in the 
History of the Church. In 1746, he was 
appointed to supply two Sabbaths at Hope- 
well and Maiden Head. It was represented 
to Presbytery, May i6th, 1750, that he was 
too infirm and weak to attend to ministerial 
duties in his congregation, and supplies 
were sent to the people. Shortly after this 
he died. At a meeting of Presbytery, Nov. 
7th, 1750, the following simple record is 
made : 

" Mr. Eleazer Wales, one of our mem- 
bers, has been removed by death since our 
last." 



152 Irish Settlement. 



REV. DANIEL LAWRENCE. 

The Rev. Daniel Lawrence was the 
second pastor in the Irish Settlement. 
He was a pupil of Rev. William Tennent, 
and pursued his studies at the '' Log- 
College." On the 1 2th of September, 
1744, he appeared before the Pres- 
bytery of New Brunswick and was 
received under their care as a candidate 
for the Gospel ministry. His parts of trial 
were assigned him at this meeting of Pres- 
bytery. At a meeting held in Philadelphia, 
October 2d and 3d, 1744, he was examined 
on his parts of trial and his examinations 
sustained. At the Spring meeting, held in 
Philadelphia, May 28th, 1745, he appeared 
before Presbytery and was licensed to 
preach the Gospel. Having been licensed, 
he preached the next month (the last Sab-' 
bath in June, 1 745.) at the " Forks of Dela- 
ware," or Irish Setdement, and Greenwich. 
Presbytery convened September 20th, of 
this year, at which time two calls were 
brought in for the pastoral services of Mr. 
Lawrence. The one was from the two 
Bethlehems, in New Jersey ; the other from 
Maiden Head and Hopewell. Mr. Law- 



Irish SettlemenL 153 

rence not being present at the meeting, 
consideration of these calls was deferred 
until the next meeting. Under the cir- 
cumstances he was directed to supply two 
Sabbaths at Maiden Head and Hopewell, 
and then repair to the " Forks of Dela- 
ware." He was to supply two-thirds of his 
time in the Forks, and devote the other 
third to the two Bethlehems. At a meet- 
ing of Presbytery, July 21st, 1746, a suppli- 
cation was sent in from the congregations 
of Maiden Head and Hopewell, requesting 
the labors of Mr. Lawrence until the next 
meeting of Presbytery, by way of trial, with 
a view to his settlement among them. 
Also a similar supplication from the "Forks 
of Delaware," for his services for one year 
with a view to his settlement there. Like- 
wise a supplication from the two Bethle- 
hems, in New Jersey, for the same pur- 
pose. Some people from Oxford Furnace, 
also, supplicated that they might share the 
labors of Mr. Lawrence in case he should 
be appointed to supply the " Forks of Del- 
aware." In the midst of this clamor, as it 
were, for the services of Mr. Lawrence, the 
Presbytery returned him to his labors in 
the Forks, with instructions to preach every 
fifth Sabbath at Tunis Quick's, (?) in the 
^' Forks of Delaware." Thus things re- 
mained until the meeting of Presbytery, 
October 1 6th, of this year. At this meet- 
3 



154 Irish Settlement 

ing, the people In the Forks renewed their 
call for Mr. Lawrence to undertake the 
pastoral charge among them. The matter 
being proposed to him by Presbytery, he 
signified his acceptance of the call. Pres- 
bytery thereupon appointed a committee 
to ordain him. This committee was com- 
posed of Rev. Richard Treat, Rev. James 
Campbell, Rev. James Davenport, Rev. 
James McCree, and Rev. Charles Beatty. 
This committee was to meet in the " Forks 
of Delaware," April ist, 1747, at which 
time Mr. Lawrence was to preach a trial 
sermon from John iii, 18, "He that be- 
lleveth on him Is not condemned ; but he 
that believeth not Is condemned already, 
because he hath not believed in the name 
of the only begotten Son of God." At the 
same time he was to hand In a Latin 
exegesis. The committee convened at the 
time and place appointed. Mr. Lawrence 
preached his sermon and handed in his 
exegesis. All parts of trial being sus« 
talned, the committee proceeded the next 
day, (April 2d, i 747,) to ordain him to the 
work of the Gospel ministry, and Install 
him pastor of the two churches In the 
Forks, viz : Allentown and Mount Bethel. 

On account of 111 health and other 
causes, he spent the winter of 1747 and 
the spring of 1748 at Cape May. By 
direction of the Synod of New York, given 



Irish Settlement 155 

May 19th, 1748, the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick returned him ao^ain in the 
spring of 1748 to supply a few Sabbaths 
at Cape May. Having fulfilled the mission 
of the Presbytery he returned and con- 
tinued his labors In the Settlement until 
the spring of 1752. At this time he was 
connected with the Presbytery of Ablngton, 
which had been erected the previous year. 
At the first meeting of the Presbytery after 
its constitution, May 20th, 1752, the church 
at Cape May applied to it for the services 
of Mr. Lawrence in case he was released 
from his charge in the Forks, which he was 
seeking for at the time. 

The next day, May 21st, 1752, the pas- 
toral relation between him and the churches 
in the Forks was dissolved. Mr. Law- 
rence accepted the call to Cape May in 
1752, and commenced his labors there as 
pastor in that year. He continued to 
labor in this pastorate for fourteen years, 
until 1766, only laying down the work with 
his life. He died at Cape May, April 13, 



156 Irish Settlement, 



REV. JOHN CLARK. 

The third pastor of the Settlement 
Church was Rev. John Clark. Mr. Clark 
was licensed to preach the Gospel by the 
Presbytery of New Brunswick in the latter 
part of 1759, or early part of 1760. 
Having been licensed, he was appointed 
by the Synod of New York and Philadel- 
phia, to supply the pulpit of Rev. Charles 
Beatty, the first and third Sabbaths of July, 
1760. He was ordained to the full work 
of the ministry, by the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick, in the latter part of 1760, or 
early part of 1761. In 1761, he was dis- 
missed from the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
wick, and connected himself with the 
Presbytery of Philadelphia, August 13th, 
of that year. At this meeting of Presby- 
tery, a call was presented to him from the 
" Forks of Delaware." He took the 
matter under consideration until the next 
meeting of Presbytery. In the meantime 
he was directed to supply " at the Forks of 
Delaware in the following manner, viz : 
two Sabbaths at Aliens Town, and one at 
Hunters Setdement, (Mt. Bethel,) inter- 
changeably, except two Sabbaths at Te- 



Irish SettlemenL 157 

hicken." November 17th, 1761, Mr. Clark 
expressed his acceptance of the call to the 
Forks of Delaware. He was installed 
pastor of the Settlement Church, October 
13th, 1762. Rev. Richard Treat presided 
and preached the sermon. Rev. Henry 
Martin, Rev. James Latta and Rev. Charles 
Beatty assisted in the installation services. 
Mr. Clark continued in the pastorate for 
four years, till i "j^^, at which time troubles 
arose in the Mt. Bethel portion of the 
charge. He then asked for a dissolution 
of the pastoral relation, which was not 
granted. The troubles, however, culmi- 
nated in a dissolution November 4th, 1767. 
Mr. Clark remained in connection with the 
Presbytery of Philadelphia for several 
years, but came under the care of the 
Presbytery of New Casde in I772.(?) 
Here he remained till 1783, at which time 
he was dismissed to the Presbytery of Red- 
stone. He remained in connection with 
this Presbytery till 1794, during a portion 
of which time, at least, he was pastor of the 
Lebanon and Bethel Churches. In 1794, 
the Presbytery of Ohio was formed out of 
that of Redstone, and Mr. Clark became a 
constituent part of* the new Presbytery. 
Here we lose sight of Mr. Clark. Where 
or when he died we have not learned. 



158 Irish Settleinenf^ 



REV. JOHN ROSBRUGH. 

The fourth pastor of the Settlement 
Church was Rev. John Rosbrugh. He was 
of Scottish descent, and w^as imbued with 
tlie principles of Scottish Presbyterianism. 
He pursued his studies in the College of New 
Jersey, at Princeton, from the year i76o-3> 
under the care and assistance of the Synod 
of New York and Philadelphia. In the 
latter part of 1763, or early part of i 764, 
the Presbytery of New Brunswick licensed 
him to preach the Gospel. Within a year 
after his licensure he was ordained to the 
full work of the ministry by the same 
Presbytery. This took place at the Green- 
wich Presbyterian Church, New^ Jersey,. 
December nth, 1764. 

After his ordination, he shortly entered 
upon the duties of his pastorate at Oxford 
and Mansfield Woodhouse. Whilst at- 
tending to the duties of this pastorate he 
performed a large amount of labor in other 
fields. He preached repeatedly at Upper 
and Lower Hardwick, also at Bedminster^ 
Deep Run and Smithfield. Difficulties^ 
however, arose in his charge in 1768. 
April 19th, of this year, Mr. Rosbrugh 



Irish Settlement, 159 

represented to the Presbytery that * * 

* * , one branch of his charge, through 
the removal of members beyond the bounds 
of the congregation, and from other causes, 
had become so weakened as not to be able 
to raise their proportion of the salary. 
Some of the people had expressed their 
willingness, under the circumstances, for 
the pastoral relation to be dissolved. As 
the other branches of his charge were not 
able to make up the deficiency, and as his 
circumstances were straitened, he ex- 
pressed himself as under the disagreeable 
necessity of asking for a dissolution of the 
pastoral relation. His request came up 
for consideration the next day, (April 20th.) 
The Presbytery decided that it was not 
expedient to grant the request at that time. 
This was because it did not appear that 

* * * * had been apprised of Mr. 
Rosbrugh's intention to resign at that 
meeting of Presbytery. In fact, no repre- 
sentative was there from any portion of 
the charge. Accordingly, further consid- 
eration of the matter was postponed till 
the fall meeting of Presbytery. In the 
meantime Mr. Rosbrugh was directed to 
notify the people of * * *^ that unless 
they came up to their pecuniary obligations, 
his services would cease amonor them. In 
case they did not, he was directed to 
preach one-half of his time at Greenwich, 



160 Irish SettlemenL 

one-third at the portion of his old charge 
which had not been delinquent, and the 
remainder at discretion. When he re- 
ceived these Instructions, he was also 
directed to supply one Sabbath at Smith- 
field, and one at Allentown, (Irish Settle- 
ment,) before the spring meeting of Pres- 
bytery. October iSth, Mr. Rosbrugh 
reported that he had failed to accommodate 
matters at * * , and had devoted one- 
half of his time to Greenwich, and one- 
third to Oxford as directed. Presbytery 
adjourned to meet at Oxford on the third 
Wednesday of November, to further con- 
sider the troubles in Mr. Rosbrugh's charge. 
The result of this meeting was to direct 
him to labor at Oxford and Greenwich 
upon certain specified conditions. These 
conditions not being complied with, Pres- 
bytery, April rSth, i769> released him from 
his charge there. 

The same day a call was presented from 
the " people of Allentown, in the Forks of 
the Delaware, requesting him to take the 
pastoral charge of them, in connection with 
Greenwich." The Presbytery agreed that 
Mr. Rosbrugh might accept the call, pro- 
vided the Allentown Church was put under 
the care of the Presbytery of New Bruns- 
wick, It having been under the care of the 
Presbytery of Abington from the formation 
of that Presbytery, in 1 75 1 , till Its absorption 



Irish Settlement. 161 

by the Presbytery of Philadelphia in the 
union of 1758, and after that time, under 
the Presbytery of Philadelphia till 1769, 
when this stipulation was made. 

Mr. Rosbrugh had been at the Settle- 
ment and had expressed his acceptance of 
the call April 3d, 1769, just previous to its 
coming up in Presbytery on the i8th. 
From this forward, his time was largely, if 
not exclusively, devoted to the Settlement 
and Greenwich. He attended the meeting 
of Synod in Philadelphia, in May of this 
year, and prosecuted the petition for the 
transfer of the Settlement Church to the 
Presbytery of New Brunswick. 

The petition not being granted until the 
spring of 1770, Mr. Rosbrugh was ap- 
pointed by his Presbytery, October 19th, 
1769, "constant supply" to the people of 
Greenwich and Allentown until the next 
meeting, except three Sabbaths, which he 
was to devote to Mount Bethel. April 
17th, 1770, he was appointed to preach one 
Sabbath at each of the following places :. 
Mt. Bethel, Oxford, Basking Ridge and 
Lower Hardwick, at which place he was to^ 
administer the Lord's Supper. The Synod,. 
May 2 1 St, 1770, granted the petition of the 
previous year, and transferred the Settle- 
ment Church to the care of the Presbytery 
of New Brunswick. The conditions upoa 
which he might accept the call to the 
8* 



iC)2 Irish Settlemenf. 

Settlement, In conjunction with Greenwich, 
having been fulfilled, April 15th, 1772, Mr, 
Rosbrugh expressed his acceptance of the 
call, but was not Installed at that time. 
October 13th, 1772, the Settlement people 
renewed their request for his Installation, 
which was granted. This took place 
October 28th, 1772, at twelve oxlock. 
Rev. John Guild presided and preached 
the sermon. The other members of the 
Com.mlttee of Installation were Rev. John 
Hanna, Rev. Jacob Vanarsdalen, and Rev. 
Samuel Kennedy. Mr. Rosbrugh be- 
coming permanently Identified with the 
Settlement, married, as his second wife. 
Miss Jane Ralston, daughter of Mr. James 
Ralston, a ruling elder In the congrega- 
tion. 

From his Installation in October, 1772, 
until 1776, he was occupied with his pas- 
toral duties in the Settlement. He at- 
tended the meeting of Synod In Philadel- 
phia, in May, 1774, and also the meeting 
in May, 1776, at which time his elder, Mr. 
John Walker, accompanied him. These 
were Reuolutionary times, and Mr. Ros- 
brugh imbibed the spirit of independence, 
along with his fellow countrymen. A 
company of soldiers was recruited in the 
Settlement, and Mr. Rosbrugh accom- 
panied them to the seat of war as chaplain. 
When at Trenton, January 2d, 1777, he 



Irish Settleineyit. 163 

was overtaken by a company of Hessians, 
when comparatively alone, and by them 
brutally murdered. Captain Hays, from 
the Settlement, hastily burled his body by 
the wayside. It was subsequently dis- 
interred by Rev. George Duffield, D. D., 
pastor of the Old Pine Street Church, Phila- 
delphia, and buried in the graveyard at 
Trenton. 



164 Irish Settlement. 



REV. FRANCIS PEPPARD. 

The fifth pastor of the Settlement 
Church was Rev. Francis Peppard. He 
was licensed to preach the Gospel by the 
Presbytery of New Brunswick in the latter 
part of 1763, or early part of 1764, at the 
same time with Rev. John Rosbrugh, his 
predecessor in the pastorate. He was 
ordained to the full work of the ministry 
by the Presbytery of New York, in 1764-5, 
and continued in connection with that 
Presbytery till 1772-3, when he became 
connected with the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick. These were his ecclesiastical 
relations in 1781, when the congregation 
in the Settlement extended a call to him. 
He now commenced his labors there, and 
continued them, without being installed, 
for about two years. On account of this 
irregularity, the Presbytery of Philadelphia, 
in the fall of 1782, inquired into the matter. 
Accordingly Mr. Peppard secured his dis- 
mission from the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick, and connected himself with the 
First Philadelphia Presbytery, May 23d, 
1783. At the same time the congregation, 
by their commissioners, applied for the 



Irish Settlement, 165 

Installation of Mr. Peppard. The time for 
his installation was to be the second Tues- 
day of August. Rev. Alexander Mitchel 
was appointed to preside. Rev. James 
Grier was to preach the sermon, and Rev. 
Nathaniel Irwin was to give the charge. 
The services did not take place in August, 
as appointed, but were duly attended to 
by the committee, October 13th. The 
pastorate of Mr. Peppard in the Settle- 
ment, was not a very pleasant one to him. 
James Rosbrugh, son of Rev. Mr. 
Rosbrugh, with some other young men, 
desired better educational advantages than 
were afforded in the common schools. 
They procured a lot of ground on the 
Monoquacy creek, in the eastern portion of 
the congregation, and proceeded to erect 
an academy. From some cause, Mr. Pep- 
pard thought this would be a detriment to 
the welfare of the congregation, and ac- 
cordingly opposed it. This raised animosi- 
ties in the congregation toward him, and 
rendered his situation unpleasant. In 
addition to this he felt himself called on 
to exercise church discipline in certain in- 
stances, which tended to widen the breach 
between himself and some of his people. 
Further difficulties arose growing out of 
the payment of his salary. An unhappy 
state of affairs continued until Oct. 21st, 
1794, at which time Mr. Peppard asked for 



166 Irish Settlement. 

a dissolution of the pastoral relation. All 
parties were cited to appear before Presby- 
tery at Philadelphia, Nov. 1 7th. At this 
time the commissioner from the congrega- 
tion protested against a dissolution of the 
pastoral relation. Notwithstanding this 
Presbytery released Mr. Peppard from his 
charge. Although the pastoral relation 
was dissolved, Mr. Peppard continued to 
minister to the people till May, 1795. His 
labors having ceased in the Settlement in 
April, 1795, he was dismissed from the 
Presbytery of Philadelphia to connect him- 
self again with the Presbytery of New 
Brunswick. This was but a little less than 
two years before his death. 

He died March 30th, 1797, and was 
buried at the Hardwick, or Yellow Frame 
Church, N.J. 



Irish Settlement. 167 



REV. ROBERT RUSSEL. 

The sixth pastor of the Settlement 
church was Rev. Robert Russel. 

Mr. Russel was licensed by the Presby- 
tery of New Castle (?) some time previous 
to 1797. He preached in the Settlement 
in 1796 and 1797. The congregation 
being vacant, and being well pleased with 
his ministerial qualifications, resolved to 
give him a call. The church, however, 
was under the care of the Philadelphia 
Presbytery, whilst Mr. Russel, was a licen- 
tiate under the care of the Presbytery of 
New Castle. In August, 1797, a conta- 
gious fever in Philadelphia prevented a 
regular meeting of Presbytery, and it was 
uncertain when a meeting could be held. 
At this time the Settlement people were 
desirous of prosecuting their call for Mr. 
Russel. As they could not obtain instruc- 
tions how to proceed from Presbytery in 
regular session, they applied to a committee 
of the same, sitting on Presbyterial busi- 
ness in the month of August, at Deep 
Run. This committee represented the 
state of affairs to the Presbytery of New 
Castle in behalf, of the Settlement congre- 



168 Irish Settlement. 

gatlon. Thereupon that Presbytery pre- 
sented the call to him, and upon his signi- 
fying his acceptance of the same dismissed 
him to connect himself with the Presbytery 
of Philadelphia. This he did Dec. 2d, 1 797. 
Mr. Russel having been received, the Pres- 
bytery proceeded with his trials for ordina- 
tion. They heard him preach a popular 
sermon, examined him on experimental 
religion, and systematic divinity, as parts of 
trial. These being sustained, Presbytery 
deferred further trials until the time of 
ordination and installation within the 
bounds of the congregation where he was 
to labor. Presbytery convened, or a com- 
mittee thereof, in the Setdement, April 
17th, 1798. Mr. Russel was further ex- 
amined in systematic divinity, ecclesiastical 
history, church government, and the arts 
and sciences. These examinations having 
been sustained, the next day Mr. Russel 
preached a popular sermon and was 
ordained and installed. In these services 
Dr. Ashbel Green, of Philadelphia, preached 
the ordination sermon. Dr. Wm. Tennent, 
of Abington, and Rev. Nathaniel Irwin, of 
Neshaminy, delivered the charges. This 
was Mr. Russel's first and last charge. 
Passing through the scenes spoken of in 
the foregoing historical sketch, between 
1798 and 1827, he ended his days with the 
people of his first charge. After serving 



hdsh Settlements 169 

nearly thirty years in the pastorate, he died 
Dec. 1 6th, 1827. 

He was buried in the old burying ground 
near Weaversville, where the stone erected 
to his memory may still be seen. 



170 Irish Settle^nent. 



REV. BROGAN HOFF. 

The seventh pastor of the Settlement 
Church was Rev. Broo^an Hoff. 

Mr. Hoff was born at HarHncren, Somer- 
set county, New Jersey, in 1794. He 
graduated at Queen's College, New Bruns- 
wick, in 1 81 5, and from the Theological 
Seminary, at New Brunswick, in 18 18. 
The same year he was licensed to preach 
the Gospel by the Classis of New Bruns- 
wick, and became pastor of a Dutch Re- 
formed Church in Philadelphia. Here he 
remained until 1824. June loth, 1824, he 
was installed pastor of the Presbyterian 
Church, of Bridgeton, New Jersey. Here 
he labored until April, 1833, at which time 
the pastoral relation was dissolved. In the 
following May, he came to the Settlement 
as an agent of the American Sunday 
School Union. The congregation being 
pleased with him, gave him a call, which he 
accepted, and was installed November 12, 
of that year. He remained in the Settle- 
ment until the spring of 1835, ^^ which 
time the pastoral relation was dissolved, 
and he was dismissed -to the Classis of 
Green, March 24th. From the Settlement 



Irish Settlement. 171 

he went, In 1835, ^^ the United Reformed 
Churches of Leeds and Kiskatom, (?) near 
Catskill, New York. Here he remained 
until 1842, when he removed to German- 
town, New York. In the charge of Ger- 
mantown, he remained until his resigna- 
tion in 1850. This seems to have been 
his last charge, as he was without charge 
in 1869. Since 1869, he died of apoplexy, 
at his home in Germantown, New York. 



172 Irish Settlemejtt. 



REV. LESLIE IRWIN. 

The eighth pastor of the Settlement 
Church was the Rev. LesHe Irwin. The 
following sketch of Mr. Irwin's life and 
labors has been furnished by his family : 

'' Rev. Leslie Irwin was born at Ballibay, 
County Monaghan, Ireland, July 2 2d, 1806. 
His parents were truly Christian people. 
He breathed a pious atmosphere from 
childhood to manhood. He obtained a 
liberal education, commencinor at the aofe 
of ten years the study of the classics, at an 
academy In his own native town. At the 
age of fourteen he was prepared to enter 
college, having the Christian ministry in 
view at this early period of life. He was 
taken under the care of Monaghan Pres- 
bytery, and received a certificate of admis- 
sion to college, after having passed a rigid 
examination by said Presbytery, as is cus- 
tomary for all candidates for the ministry 
in Ireland. Entering the Royal Belfast 
College, he completed his collegiate and 
theological course In six years. As the 
Synod of Ulster, (for at that time there 
was no General Assembly In Ireland,) did 
not allow their candidates to be licensed till 



Irish Settlement. 173 

one year after completing their theological 
course, Mr. Irwin engaged in teaching, and 
was elected principal of a Classical Academy, 
which his own pastor, Rev. James Worrell, 
founded for the purpose of giving a 
thorough education to young men in that 
section of the country. He retained this 
situation for six years, and labored with 
great fidelity and success. In this connec- 
tion the fact ought not to be omitted, that 
his salary, ^30 a year, was given to his 
parents, while he supported himself with 
the sums received for supplying vacant 
churches, he having been licensed to 
preach by the Synod some time in the 
second year of his position as principal of 
the Academy. He was a thorough linguist 
and, in the strict acceptation of the term, a 
fine scholar in general. In fact, he was 
qualified to fill almost any chair in the best 
institutions of learning in this or any other 
land, but his modesty kept him compara- 
tively unknown. On resigning his position 
in the Academy, Mr. Irwin came to America 
in 1834. This he did, believing he would 
have a more extensive sphere of useful- 
ness in this land. He found true friends 
in the Rev. Messrs. Wm. L. McCalla and 
Winchester, Dr. Green, and James and 
Wm. Latta. Through their agency he was 
invited to supply the pulpit of the Ninth 
Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, Penn., 



174 Irish SettlemeiiL 

for one year, in the absence of the pastor. 
In July, 1835, ^^G w^s introduced to the 
Presbyterian Church in Allen Township, 
Northampton Co., Penn., and after preach- 
ing to them with great acceptance for a 
year, he was ordained and installed pastor 
in the autumn of 1836, on a salary of $500 
a year. Some time in the years 1839-40, 
the iron works at Craneville, now Cata- 
sauqua, were established, some seven 
miles distant. As the result of earnest 
personal labor, and visitations from house 
to house on his part, a church was soon 
formed of over one hundred members. 
He then assumed ch-arge of both churches, 
that at Allen Township and the newly 
formed church at Catasauqua, and per- 
formed an almost incredible amount of 
labor for both of them, riding fourteen 
miles every Sabbath besides attending four 
services, prayer-meeting and lecture com- 
bined, each week. In 1845, ^^ Irwin was 
married to Miss Mary Ann Wilson, daugh- 
ter of John Wilson, Esq., a ruling Elder 
for forty-two years of the Allen Township 
Church. Mrs. Irwin, and three out of their 
four children, still survive him. He often 
congratulated himself as having been 
favored in his domestic relations and used 
to say that but for this he could not have 
sustained the great amount of labor which 
he performed. 



hisJi Settlement. 175 

After a pastorate of thirty-three years' 
duration he removed, in May of 1868, to 
South Bend, Indiana, and finally to Quincy, 
Ills., in July of same year. Instead of feel- 
ing himself at liberty to desist from active 
labor on account of his enfeebled health, 
his heart warmed toward the people at 
Ellington and Burton, six and nine miles 
distant from his home. To these he 
labored, rain or shine, with untiring devo- 
tion. He aided these churches largely out 
of his own pocket to enable them to get a 
house of worship. The Presbytery of 
Schuyler have therefore upon their roll, the 
" Memorial Presbyterian Church of Elling- 
ton," and " Memorial Presbyterian Church 
of Burton." Both are in a flourishing con- 
dition and have more than tripled their 
membership. 

His great desire was that after his de- 
parture these churches would be in a con- 
dition to support a pastor. 

For days before his decease he prayed 
frequently for these churches, that God 
would build them up and glorify Himself 
through them. 

Early on the Sabbath morning, (Nov. 
1 6th, 1873,) agreeably to his desire, he fell 
asleep in Jesus. The funeral took place 
on Nov. 1 8th, from his residence, and 
his remains were laid In the family vault at 



176 Irish Settlement 

Ellington Home Cemetery, near the church 
he loved so well* 



*Mr. Irwin was received by the Presbytery of New- 
ton as a licentiate of Presbytery of Philadelphia, 
Dec. 2 2d, 1H35, and was ordained an evangelist. 



Irish Settlement VJl 



REV. DAVID M. JAMES. 

The ninth and present pastor of the 
Settlement Church is Rev. David M. James. 
Mr. James is a native of Cumberland Co., 
Nev/ Jersey. He pursued his preparatory 
studies for college at Easton, iPa., and 
•entered Lafayette College there, gradu- 
ating in 1852. 

He studied theology at the Theological 
seminary, Princeton, N. J., and was licensed 
to preach the Gospel by the Presbytery of 
Passaic, July 3d, 1854. Oct. 4th, 1854, the 
same Presbytery ordained him to the full 
work of the ministry and installed him 
pastor of the Mount Olive Church, New 
Jersey. Here he labored until 1869, when 
he became pastor of the Settlement Church, 
in which pastorate he continues to labor 
with success, 
9 



178 Irish Setilement. 



CHAPTER IX. 



CHUKCH OFFICERS. 




ELDERS. 

URING the early history of all, 
or nearly all, the Presbyterian 
Churches of America, it was cus- 
tomary to keep no sessional records. The 
church in the Irish Settlement was no ex- 
ception to this rule. It passed through 
about one hundred years of its history 
without making aay permanent record of 
who its spiritual rulers were, or who were 
admitted to sealing ordinances. The 
names of the eldership are, therefore, 
almost entirely lost. We can only deter- 
mine who a few of them were by references 
incidentally made to them in the general 
affairs of the church and community. 

It would seem Thomas Craig was one, 
at least, of the original elders. His name 
appears as an elder in attendance at the 
meeting of the Synod of Philadelphia, in 
1 73 1. In 1756, Dr. Franklin, in a letter 
to Governor Morris, speaks of " Elder 



Irish Settlement 179 

Craig," of the Irish Settlement. We sup- 
pose he referred to Elder Thomas Craig. 

In 1 769, we know James Ralston, father- 
in-law of Rev. Mr. Rosbrugh, was an elder. 
He died in 1775. Also, we know that John 
Walker was an elder in 1775. He was 
reported as Mr. Rosbrugh's elder at a 
meeting of Presbytery, held at Mt. Bethel 
that year. He died in 1777. Who suc- 
ceeded these we have not been able to 
learn. We know, however, that John 
Wilson was an elder. He was born in 
1766, and died in 1857, having served in 
the eldership forty-two years. The late 
Judge James Kennedy was an elder. He 
was born in 1787, and died in 1872, The 
present eldership are Hugh R. Horner and 
John Horner. This Is about all we have 
been able to learn with regard to the elder- 
ship in the Settlement Church, 



180 Irish Settleme?it. 



SUCCESSION OF TRUSTEES UNDER 
THE CORPORATION. 

The church, having been organized In 
1728, carried on Its secular affairs for about 
sixty years by means of officers chosen by 
the people. The records extant, belonging 
to that period, are In such a condition as to 
render It Impossible to give an intelligible 
account of who looked after the secular 
affairs of the church. Names appear upon 
the books in an official capacity ; but who 
were In office from year to year cannot be 
•determined. This confusion, however, 
disappears with the year 1797. At this 
time the church became Incorporated. 
The third rule adopted to govern the con- 
;gregation under the charter of incorpora- 
tion, was as follows : 

" That six Trustees shall be chosen from 
said society, two of whom shall vacate on 
the first day of January next, and two in 
ea:ch successive year, and their places to 
be filled up by a new election, whose busi- 
ness shall be to settle accounts with the 
Treasurer on the same day yearly ; to have 
charge of all money belonging to the 



Irish Settlement. 



181 



society; all pews and seats in the church 
to be taken from and given up to the 
Trustees ; and those who attempt to give 
or receive seats without their consent, shall 
be deemed inimical to the interests of the 
society, and meet a serious rebuke in 
Session at a future day." 

We subjoin the Trustees under this rule, 
from 1797. The third couplet shows the 
persons elected for the year. 



1796. 

Joseph Horner, James Ralston, Thos. Horner, 
VVm. Lattimer, Adaai Clendinen, William Moffat. 



James Ralston, 
Jos. Horner, 



1797. 

Thomas Horner, Hugh Horner, 
Wm. Lattimer, John McNair. 



1798. 

Thos. Horner, Hugh Horner, Henry Epple, 
Wm. Lattimer, John McNair, Joseph Horner. 



1799. 

Hugh Horner, Henry Epple, James Hays, 
John McNair, Joseph Horner, Thos. McKeen. 



1800. 

Henry Epple, James Hays, James Ralston^ 

Joseph Horner, Thos. McKeen, Samuel Morison. 



182 Irish Settlement. 

1801. 

James Hays, James Ralston/ John Clyde,, 

Thos. McKeen, Samuel Morison, James Kerr. 

1802. 

James Ralston/ John Clyde,, Hugh Wilson, 

Samuel Morison, James Kerr^ Charles Meloy. 

1803. 

John Clyde, Hugh Wilson, Edvv. Humphrey *■ 

James Kerr, • Charles Meloy, John McNair. 

1804. 

Hugh Wilson, Edvv. Humphrey, Hugh Horner, 
Charles Meloy, John McNair, Joseph Horner. 

1805. 

Edw. Humphrey, Hugh Horner, Joseph Kerr, 
John McNair, Joseph Horner, (?) 

1806. 

Hugh Horner, Joseph Kerr, John Wilson, 
Joseph Horner, (?) Thomas Horner. 

1807. 

Joseph Kerr, John Wilson, Adam Clendinen, 
(?) Thomas Horner, Robert Ralston. 

1808. 

John Wilson, Adam Clendinen, John Rosbnigh„ 
Thomas Horner, Robert Ralston, Jas. Horner, Jr. 



Irish Settlemerit. 183 

1809. 

Adam Clendinen, John Rosbrugh, Nicholas Neligh, 
Robert Ralston, James Horner, James Clyde, Jr. 

1810. 

John Rosbrugh, Nicholas Neligh, James Kerr, Sr., 
James Horner, James Clyde, Jr., Wm. Lattimer. 

1811. 

Nicholas Neligh, James Kerr, Sr., Edw. Humphrey, 
Jas. Clyde, Jr., Wm. Lattimer, Jas. Horner, Sr., 

1812. 

James Kerr, Sr., Ed\v. Humphrey, James Kerr, Jr., 
Wm. Lattimer, Jas. Horner, Sr., John Wilson. 

1813. 

Edw, Humphrey, James Kerr, Jr., John Boyd, 
Jas. Horner, Sr., John Wilson, John Clyde, Jr. 

1814, 

James Kerr, Jr., John Boyd, James Clendinen, 

John Wilson, John Clyde, Jr., Jas. Horner,* 
* Son of Thos. Horner. 

1815. 

John Boyd, James Clendinen, James Kennedy, 

John Clyde, Jr., James Horner, Nathan Kerr. 

The elections were overturned this year. 
Some trustees resigned. A new election 
resulted as follows : 

John Boyd, James Kerr, Sr., James Kennedy, 

Hugh Wilson, James Horner, Robt. Horner. 



184 h'ish Settlement, 



1816. 



James Kerr, Sr., James Kennedy, James J. Horner, 
James Horner, Robert Horner, A. E. Mulhallon. 

1817. 

James Kennedy, Jas. J. Horner, Edw. Humphrey, 
Robert Horner, A. E. Mulhallon, Joseph Kerr. 

1818. 

James J. Horner, Edvv. Humphrey, John Wilson, 
A. E. Mulhallon, Joseph Kerr, Wm. Horner. 

1819. 

Edw. Humphrey, John Wilson, James Kennedy, 
Joseph Kerr, Wm. Horner, Robert Horner. 

1820. 

John Wilson, James Kennedy, Edw. Humphrey, 
Wm. Horner, Robert Horner, James Kerr. 

1821. 

James Kennedy, Edw. Humphrey, George Hice, 
Robert Horner, James Kerr, Hugh Horner. 

1822. 

Edw. Humphrey, George Richie, James J. Horner, 
James Kerr, Hugh Horner, Abram Wilson. 

George Hice, elected in 1821, resigned, 

and George Richie was elected to fill his 

place in 1822. 

1823. 

George Richie, Jas. J. Horner, Joseph Kerr, 
Hugh Horner, Abram Wilson, Thos. Horner, Jr. 



Irish Settlement. 



185 



1824. 

Jas. J. Horner, Joseph Kerr, A. E, Mulhallon,. 
Abram Wilson, Thos. Horner, Jr., William Horner. 

1825. 

Joseph Kerr, A. E. Mulhallon, James Kennedy, 
Thos. Horner, Wm. Horner, Joseph Horner.. 

1826. 

A. E. Mulhallon, James Kennedy, Jas. Kerr, Jr., 
Wm. Horner, Joseph Horner, 'Robt. Clendinen.. 

1827. 

James Kennedy, James Kerr, Jr., Joseph Kerr, 
Joseph Horner, Robt. Clendinen, Charles Wilson. 

1828. 

James Kerr, Jr. Joseph Kerr, James J. Horner,. 
Robt. Clendinen, Charles Wilson, William Burnet. 

"1829. 

Joseph Kerr, Jas. J. Horner, Thos. Horner, 
Charles Wilson, William Burnet, J. H. Humphrey. 



Shortly previous to the election for this- 
year, which came on January 5th, Mr. 
Burnet removed from the "Settlement,and 
his place was supplied at this election by 
the name of James Kennedy. 



Q* 



186 



Irish Settlement. 



1830. 

James J. Horner, Thos. Horner, William Brown 
James Kennedy, J. H. Humphrey, Hugh Horner. 



Thos. Horner, 



1831. 

William Brown, 



J. H. Humphrey, Hugh Horner, 



Joseph Horner, 
Charles Wilson. 



Shortly previous to January 3d, 1831, 
when the annual election occurred, Thomas 
Horner removed from the congregation, 
and Thomas Clendinen was elected to fill 
the vacancy. 



William Brown, 
Hugh Horner, 



1832. 

Joseph Horner, Thos, Clendinen^ 
Charles Wilson, Chas. Humphrey- 

1833- 

Joseph Horner, Thos. Clendinen, James Kerr, 
Charles Wilson, Chas. Humphrey, JamesKennedy, 

1834- 

Thos. Clendinen, James Kerr, James Clyde, 

Chas, Humphrey, James Kennedy. B. D. Barnes, 



1835- 

James Kerr, James Clyde, 

James Kennedy, B. D. Barnes, 



Hugh Horner, 
Thos. Clendinen, 



1836. 

James Clyde, Hugh Horner, James J. Horner, 
B. D. Barnes, Thos. Clendinen, Thomas Horner. 



Irish Settlement. 187 



1837- 



Hugh Horner, James J. Horner, Charles Wilson, 
Thos. Clendinen, Thos. Horner, William Brown. 

1838. 

James J. Horner, Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner, 
Thomas Horner, Wm. Brown, Thos. Clendinen » 



1839. 

Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner, James Kerr, 
William Brown, Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Horner. 

1840. 

Hugh Horner, James Kerr, William Wilson ^ 

Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Horner, William Brown. 

1841. 

James Kerr, William Wilson, Fred. W\ Nagle,. 

Joseph Horner, William Brown, Hugh Horner. 

1842. 

William Wilson, Fred. W. Nagle, Joseph Howell, 
William Brown, Hugh Horner, Philip Insley. 

1843- 

Fred. W. Nagle, Joseph Howell, James Kennedy,. 
Hugh Hjrner, Philip Insley, Charles Wilson.. 

1844. 

Joseph Howell, James Kennedy, Hugh Horner,. 
Philip Insley, Charles Wilson, Thomas Barr.. 



188 hnsh Settlement. 

1845. 

James Kennedy, Hugh Horner, Joseph Brown ^ 
Charles Wilson, Thomas Barr, Philip Insley, 

1846. 

Hugh Horner, Joseph Brown, William Brown, 
James Kennedy, Philip Insley, Thos. Clendinen, 

This year, James Kennedy was elected 
to fill the place of Thomas Barr, who had 
removed from the Sectlement. 

1847. 

Joseph Brown, William Brown, Robt. McDowell, 
Philip Insley, Thos. Clendinen, Hugh Horner. 

1848. 

William Brown, Robt. McDowell, John Howell, 
Thos. Clendinen, Hugh Horner, Charles Wilson. 

1849. 

Rout. McDowell, John Howell, Philip Insley, 
Hugh Horner, Charles Wilson, Joseph Brown.. 

185A 

John Howell, Philip Insley, Hugh Horner, 
Charles Wilson, Joseph Brown, Robt. McDowell. 

1851. 

Philip Insley, Hugh Horner, Thos, Clendinen, 
Joseph Brown, Robt. McDowell, William Brown. 



Insh SeUlemcJit. 180 

1852. 

Hugh Horner, Thos. Clendinen, Charles Wilson, 
Robt. McDowell, William Brown, Joseph Brown. 

1853. 

Thos. Clendinen, Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner, 
William Brown, Joseph Brown, Philip Insley. 

1854- 

Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner, Thos. Clendinen, 
Joseph Brown, Philip Insley, William Brown. 

1855- 

Hugh Horner, Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Brown, 
Philip Insley, William Brown, Charles Wilson, 

1856. 

Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Brown, John Agnew, 
William Brown, Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner, 

1857- 

Joseph Brown, John Agnew, Thos. Clendinen^r 
Charles Wilson, Hugh Horner, Philip Insley. 

Hugh R. Horner elected for one year to 
fill vacancy caused by the removal of 
Charles Wilson, (?) 

1858. 

John Agnew, Thos. Clendinen, HughB. Horner, 
Hugh Horner, Philip Insley, Joseph Brown, 



190 Irish Settlement. 

1859. 

Thos. Clendinen, Hugh R.Horner, H. Horner, Erq., 
Philip Insley, Joseph Brown, John Agnew. 

i860. 

Hugh R.Horner, H. Horner, Esq., Thcs. Clendinen, 
Joseph Brown, John Agnew, Philip Insley. 

1861. 

H. Plorner, Esq., Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Brown, 
John Agnew, Philip Insley, Hugh R, Horner. 

1862. 

Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Brown^ John A<^new, 
Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner, John Horner. 

1863. 

Joseph Brown, John Agnew, Thos. Clendinen, 

Hugh R. Horner, John Horner, Philip Insley. 

1864. 

John Agnew, Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Brown, 
John Horner, Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner. 

1865. 

Thos. Clendinen, Joseph Browm, John Howell, 
Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner, John Agnew\ 

1866. 

Joseph Brown, John Howell, Thos. Clendinen, 
Hugh R.Horner, John Agnew, Philip Insley. 



Irish Settlement. 191 

1867. 

John Howell, Thos. Clendinen, James Blair, 
John Agnew, Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner. 

John Horner elected for one year to 
fill place made vacant by the removal of 
John Agnew. (?) 

1868. 

Thos. Clendinen, James Blair, Joseph Brown, 

Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner, John Horner. 

1869. 

James Blair, Joseph Brown, Thos. Clendinen, 

Hugh R.Horner, John Horner, Philip Insley. 

1870. 

Joseph Brown, Thos. Clendinen, James Blair, 
John Horner, Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner. 

1871. 

Thos. Clendinen, James Blair, John Horner, 

Philip Insley, Hugh R.Horner, Joseph Brown. 

1872. 

James Blair, John Horner, Thos. Clendinen, 

Hugh R.Horner, Joseph Brown, Philip Insley. 

1873. 

John Horner, Thos. Clendinen, James Blair, 
Joseph Brown, Philip Insley, Hugh R. Horner. 



102 Irish Settlement. 

1874. 

Thos.Clendinen, James Blair, John Horner, 

Philip Insley, Hugh R.Horner, Saml. T, Brown. 

1875- 

James Blair, John Horner, Thos. Clendinen, 

Hugh R.Horner, Saml. T, Brown, Philp Insley. 



Irish Settlement. 



193 



OFFICERS OF THE BOARD. 





PRESIDENTS. 


SECRETARIES. TRE 


:asurers. 


1797. 


John McNair,(?) 


J. Ralston, (?) Hugh Horner 


1798. 


John McNair,(?) 


'' (?) 


(( 


1799. 


Henry Epple, 


'' (?) 


ti 


1800. 


n 


Sam.Morison, Jas. 


Ralston. 


I80I. 


Jas. Kerr, 


<< 


i( 


1802. 


a 


Tho 


M( Keen 


1803. 


n 


E.Humphrey, 


( i 


1804. 


John McNair, 


( ( 


i i 


1805. 


(?) 


- (?) 


i i 


1806. 


Joseph Horner, 


Jos. Kerr, 


< i 


IS07 


Thos. Horner, 


li 


'- 


1808. 


John Wilson, 


Jas. Horner, Jr., 


( i 


1809. 


Adam Clendinen,(?) ** (?) 


•' 


I8I0. 


Jas. Kerr, Sr., 


Nich. Neligh. 


< i 


I8II. 


Ed. Humphrey, 


<( 


i ' 


I8I2. 


Jas. Kerr, Sr., 


Jas. Horner, Sr., 


a 


I8I3. 


John Wilson, 


John Boyd, 


< i 


I8I4. 


Jas. Kerr, 


John Clyde, 


(< 


I8I5. 


Robt. Horner, 


John Boyd, J. H 


. Horner. 


I8I6. 


(( 


Jas.Kennedy, 




I8I7. 


Jas. J. Horner, 


( ( 




I8I8. 


Ed. Humphrey, 


Wm. Horner, 




I8I9. 


(?. 


) " (?) 




1820. 


John Wilson, 


li 




I82I. 


Ed. Humphrey, 


Hugh Horner, 




1822. 


a 


(< 




1823. 


Abram Wilson, 


<( 




1824. 


Jas J. Horner, 


Wm. Horner, 




1825. 


Jas. Kennedy, 


«( 





194 



Irish Setilemeni. 





PRESIDENTS. 


SECRETARIES. TREASURERS. 


1826. 


Jas. Kerr, Jr., 


Jos. Horner, Robt. Horner 


1827. 


Jas. Kennedy, 


(. 


iC 


1828. 


Jas. Kerr, Jr.,(?) 


Chas. Wilson, (?) 


cc 


1829. 


Jas. J. Horner, 


a 


cc 


1830. 


(( 


Wm. Brown, 


( ( 


I83I. 


Hugh Horner, 


<( 


cc 


1832. 


a 


(C 


cc 


^^33' 


Jas. Kennedy, 


T. Clendinen, 


iC 


1834. 


(?) 


" (?) 


Cl 


1835- 


a 


(C 


iC 


1836. 


Jas. J. Horner, 


Thos. Horner, 


cc 


1837. 


ii 


a 


i i 


1838. 


(t 


i( 


i( 


1839. 


Wm. Brown, 


Hugh Horner, 


Cl 


1840. 


(< 


a 


cc 


1841. 


(C 


t( 


cc 


1842. 


(( 


(I 


cc 


1843- 


Jas. Kennedy, 


Cl 


cc 


1844. 


(( 


Cl 


cc 


1845. 


(( 


Jos 


Horner. 


1846. 


Wm. Brown, 


(( 


11 


1847. 


(C 


a 


cc 


1848. 


(( 


Cl 


cc 


1849. 


Jos. Brown, 


a 


cc 


1850. 


(I 


Cl 


cc 


1851. 


i( 


Cl 


cc 


1852. 


Wm, Brown, 


Cl 


cc 


1853- 


(( 


Cl 


cc 


1854. 


Joseph Brown, 


n 


cc 


1855- 


tc 


cc 


cc 


1856. 


(?) 


" (?) 


Cl 


1857. 


i( 


cc 


cc 


1858. 


i: 


cc 


cc 


1859. 


i( 


cc 


cc 


i860. 


(I 


cc 


cc 


1861. 


Cl 


(I 


1 1 


1862. 


a 


Jno. Horner, 


11 


1863. 


Cl 


cc 


11 


1864. 


(( 


a 


Cl 


1865. 


(( 


H. R. Horner, 


cc 



Irish Settlement. 



195 



PRESIDENTS. 



SECRETARIES. 



TREASURERS. 



1866. Thomas Clendinen, H. R. Horner, Jos. Brown. 

1867. 

1868. 

1869. 

1870. 

T871. 

1872. 

1873- 
1874. 
1875. 



196 Irisji Settlement, 



COLLECTORS OF SALARY UNDER 
THE CORPORATION. 

The sixth rule for the government of the 
Board of Trustees, adopted by them Jan- 
uary 31st, 1800, was as follows : 

" The Board shall, at the meeting on the 
last Saturday of September, in every year, 
(as appointed in rule first,) make out du- 
plicates for pew rent for the then present 
year, and deliver them to collectors to be 
then appointed, with a warrant from the 
President] annexed authorizing them to 
collect the same. Each collector will be 
expected to collect his own duplicate, or 
show cause why he cannot." 

Under this rule the following collectors 
were appointed : 

NAMS5 OF COLLECTORS. N3. OF CONTKIEUTORS. 

1800. James Horner, Jr., Robert Hays, 48 

1 80 1. John Clyde, Jr., James Kerr, Jr., 48 

1802. James Clyde, Jr., James McNair, 44 

1803. Thomaj Horner, William Moffat, 39 

1804. Alexander Wilson, Nathan Kerr, 41 

1805. Edward Humphrey, James Rosbrugh, -^-i^ 

1806. Robert Ralston, Thomas Horner, 36 

1807. James Horner, James Kerr, 37 

1807. (Extra,) James Clyde, Tnomas Horner, 28 

1808. (Regular,) Jas.Clendinen.Edw'd Humphrey. 36 



Irish Settlement. 19' 



Kames of collectors. no. of contributors. 

1809. Samuel Ralston, James Horner, 36 

1810. Abram Wilson, John Lattimer, 44 

181 1. Robert Horner, Joseph Kerr, (?) 37 

1812. John Clyde, James (T.) Horner, 38 

1813. John Lattimer, William Horner, 39 

1814. Joseph Horner, Jr., William Clendinen, 40 

1 81 5. James Lattim.er, Hugh Horner, 42 

1816. Arthur E. Mulhallon, Thomas Horner, Jr., 52 

181 7. Samuel Horner, James Kerr, Jr., 53 

1818. George Hice, William Clendinen, 56 

1819. Hugh Wilson, Hugh Horner, 50 

1820. Joseph Kerr, Joseph Horner, Jr., 50 

1 82 1. George Richie, Thomas Horner, 51 

1822. John Wilson, Thomas Clendinen, 55 

1823. James Kennedy, John Humphrey, 53 

1824. John Boyd, James Kerr, Jr., 53 

1825. Charles Wilson, Charles Humphrey, 52 

1826. William Wilson, Hugh Horner, 53 

1827. William Burnet, Thomas Horner, 48 

1828. James Kennedy, John H. Humphrey, 77 

1829. Thomas Clendinen, Joseph Horner, Jr., 71 

1830. Joseph Kerr, William Wilson, 67 

1 83 1. Charles Humphrey, John Wilson, Jr., 55 

1832. James Kerr, Daniel George, 58 

1833. (No record of Collectors. Pews rented out 

December 4th.) 

1834. Hugh Horner, Charles Wilson, 41 

1835. William Brown, Frederick W. Nagle, 47 

1836. Robert Clendinen, William Wilson, 44 

1837. James Kerr, Joseph Horner, 43 

1838. Thomas Horner, John Wilson, 43 

1839. Thomas Clendenin, Philip Insley, 44 

1840. James Kerr, James Kennedy, 43 

1841. William Wilson, Robert Clendinen, 43 

1842. Frederick W. Nagle, Joseph Horner, 58 

1843. James J. Horner, Thomas Clendinen, 65 

1844. John Lyle, Isaac Insley, 54 

1845. William Wilson, Robert Clendinen, 57 

1846. Robert McDowell, James Kerr, 50 







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